Glasgow weekly times. (Glasgow, Mo.) 1848-1861, 1859-08-11

STEAM PLruGHING-TRIAL OF FAw-
KEs' ESGINE IN PENNsYLvANIA.-Theu un.
dersigned, committee on behalf of the
Pennsylvania State Agricultural Society, at
the invitation of Mr.. Fawkes, the inventor
of the Steam Plow, visited Oxford Park,
near Philadelphia, this afternoon, { Thurs
day, July 81, end witnessed the operation
of the plow. The soil was in good condi-
tion owing TO the late rain, which rendered
the experiment more satisfactory. Before
proceeding 10 plow, about 800 gallons Of
water were pumped into the tank by
donkey engine attached 10 the machine, and
in very short time sufficient steam was
raised 10 prepare, SO as to display to great
advantage the ease AMI grace with which
it could be moved forward, turned round, ),
backed, SC.
The engine which is of thirty horse
power is adapted TO either wood or coal,
ana when the latter is used, consumes
about half ton day.
The anxiety and interest Of the commit
tee and a number of visitors now became
manifest. Tympathy with the inventor,
who had devoted years Of toll and his entire
mean 10 the perfectiDg of his machine, as
well as consciousness Of the many failures
of projected agricultural improvements, and
Of the unhappy results TO the origiDators,
sensibly affected the minds of the commit
tee.
| All doubts however of its success were
speedily removed. The plows eight in
number, which were suspended by chains
in frame attached TO the rear Of the
machine, about eighteen inches above the
ground, by means of slight adjustment of
a crank, were dropped TO their proper po-
sition for action; and at the sound of the
whistle the plow moved forward in the
most graceful manner, performing its work
with ease, and 10 the admiration and per-
/ feet satisfaction Of the most skeptical.
| The soil, which was made TO yield to the
united action OF the eight mold boards, each
turning furrow slice of fourteen inches in
width and six inches in debth, moving al
the rate Of four miles an hour, Cor four
acres an hours } presented the appearance,
in viewing it from the rear, of the undula-
tiOns Of a wave, hiding the plows entirely
from view. The effect was most pleasing,
and elected the admiration Of all. ..... -
The experiment was made upon tough.
timothy sod, which had not been ploughed
for seven years previously.
The grade was CT about seven degrees,
which tested the powers Of the machine TO
perform on inclined surfaces. One of the
committee, familiar with prairie ploughing,
affirms that he has never seen level prairie
turned as beautifully by horse power as the
uneven timothy sod was by the steam plow.
Mr.. Fawkes, still further 10 show the
the capacity of his machine for easy loco
motion over uneven surfaces, propelled ii
rapidly over several gullies, one Of which
was fully eighteen inches in depth, while
others were very abrupt, and this without
any apparent deriment TO the machinery,
and also moved it in circle several times,
of diameter of about twenty-five feet, and
passed by request across the ground just
plowed, without any difficulty; showing
conclusively its adaptedness for all agricul-
tural purposes, not only field plow, but as
means of propulsion for moving and reap
ing machines.
Your committee are further Of opinion
that The engine is applicable 10 the driving
of threshing machines, farm mills, circular
saws, SC.
1t may be proper to add that Mr.. Fawkes
placed the machine entirely at the disposal
of the committee, and subjected it to every
test which they suggested.
anas. ei a: fh!Sthf: RESGIE. conni''s.
G-Eight burrows, of the width named, make
about an acre and an eighth to the mile, or four