Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1859-09-30

Spankcr" and Mr. Cannon's "Saw- Mill Maid, "
in which the former came out little ahead
time, 2:53 .--.... .-a. .-
The affair passed off without any disturb
ance, and apparently to the satisfaction of all
who attended. Daily, 23d. ....r
FaVkes' Steam Pi0w.--FuIl De-
scripli0aa.
We have repeatedly before alluded to this
invention, but, believing the subject fraught
with fresh interest since the triumphs of the
Lancaster" before the committees of the
State and National Agricultural Fairs recently
held in Illinois, we condcnse from the reports
Of those committees more particular descrip-
ton of it than we have yet been able to offer:
To form a complete conception Of this
machine, let the reader recall the appearance
Of small sized tender of locomotive engine,
with about half the forward portion of the
sides and tank removed We now have
something which resembles the body of
Fawkes' machine. In the middle of the for
ward portion of the platform stands the
upright boiler, which is about 69 feet high,
and feet in diameter, the fire-box and dash
pit being, of course, below the level of the
platform, and the fire-door opening forward
The front of the fire-box is short, tapering
bow of sheet iron, which serves as q seat fo1
the fireman, and a receptacle for fuel. This
bow is supported by a body Or king-bolt on
truck composed of two iron guide Wheels 81
feet in diameter, and Is inches broad. The
truck moves freely, like the front wheels of
chaise and is controlled above the platform by.
steering wheel in charge Of the engineer, so
that the whole machine is turned as readily
and as short as a farm wagon. Midway
between the front and back of the machine is
placed large drum-wheel or roller, feet in
length, and about 6 feet in diameter, upon
which it principally rests and moves. This
drum is composed of two rcn heads, or
"spiders,' and an intermediate one; to these,
thick, narrow planks, cut like slaves, and
fitted closely, are boltcd, and form the
periphery. The adhesion is, therefore, pro-
duced by surface of wood six feet long,
which never becomes polished, and the bear
ing of which is always across the grain.
There is no slipping; the machine is started
and stopped instantly; and, except when
propelling itself considerable distance on
turnpike and paved roads, the wear and tear
is slight This substitution of the driving
roller for the ordinary side wheels wonderfully
increases traction, and prevents sloughing in
wet or yielding soil, while moderate irregular
tiles Of surface scarcely effect the onward
march of the plow. Before the drum depends
the box, and over and behind it is the
tank; so that, when the boiler and tank are
full, they nearly counterbaance each other on
its axis. The platform covers and overhangs
the drum, placing it comparatively out sight.
The pistons communicate motion directly to
this wheel. The plows, in number, and of
the ordinary make, are attached to frame,
which is suspended by chains passing over
grooycd pullies in two beams, projecting from
the seat to the engine. These chains commu-
nicate to the windlass in charge of the fireman
in 'front.' by which the gang of plows may be
raised or lowered at pleasure. The plows are
drawn by other chains, attached to the under
side of the frame of the engine, and may be
regulated to plow any required depth, from l
to inches.
The machine at present exhibited is
intended only for large operations, being
capable of breaking from 25 to 40 acres (at an
average expense of $40 to $15) per day but,
it is evident, may be materially reduced in
size. Cost Of present machine, between
$4,000 and $4,000.
We have not time to enter upon descrip-
ton of the steam plow made by Mr.. Waters,
of Detroit, Mich, the only real competitor to
Fawkes', at the Illinois Fairs. 1t is by far
the most complicated of the two. Its plows
are fixed, and it is projected on two drum
wheels of about half the dimensions of that
above described. In the trial before the
National Fair Committee, an accident occurred
to it, at an early stage, which effectually
stopped it from further operation. Although,
in the language of the Committee, we are not
prepared to certify to the absolute perfection
of any one of these machines, the experiments
thus far made demonstrate to our entire salts
faction that it is practicable that, in a few
years, a large portion of the labor now per-
formed by animal power on the farm will be
superseded by steam, especially in prairie
countries, and on well improved farms, where
but few stones or other distractions exist.
New YORK AT CHARLEsroN.--The New
York Herald classifies the delegates elect to
Charleston as follows: