Saint Paul weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1858-1859, 1859-04-09
A New Steam PlOyv.
From the Mortified Journal.

From the Mortified Journal
For a few years past the attention of in
ventors has been directed to the getting up of
plow, to b, driven by steam, which will ex-
pedite the old method, and at the same time
incur no greater expense, if it does not lessen
it. The utility of a pillow Of this description,
particularly in the West, is obvious from the
fact that the seasons are much shorter and
the time for putting in the seed is greatly re-
duced. The western soil is warm and quick,
and crops mature much sooner than in the
Eastern or Southern States. Consequently,
the seed must be in at its proper time in order
to get the full value of the growing season /;
for one day here is of as much consequence
to the crops as a week in other climates. This
fact becoming thoroughly known men of gen.
Jus have given their attention to this subject,
and have so far succeeded as to demonstrate
the practicability of such machine. Seve-
raj have already been invented, some of which
have been made to work well, but an improve
ment upon any that have yet been tried is yet
to be made before they can accomplish the
design of the invention. -.. g.. o.
This, however, we think, has been accom-
plished in the invention of Mr.. M'Gaughey,
of Goodhue County, in this State. Many of
the objections, and in fact, we do not know,
but al which have been raised in regard to
other Mns have pbeen obviated in his machine.
The design is entirely an original one, and
differs from any other machine yet Produced
The plows, four in number, revOlve instead Of
standing upright like the usual plow. They
are attached to shaft in the rear of the ma
chine and perform semi-revolutions, cutting
o circular furrow across the land; each plow.
performing a semi-circle of about four feet.
and the whole width of the machine is about
fourteen feet. Thus blowing strip of that
width, and performing it with but four plows,
proper, but twelve in number, as each of the
four shafts to which the plows are attached
contains three plows, or mould boards, which
revolve upon an axis each in its turn cutting
furrow.
The power to drive these plows is greatly
reduced, as the plows themselves act on the
principle of the screw of propeller, and
actually assist in driving themselves ahead,
lessening the power about one half The ma
chine is so regulated that its movement gov
ems the plows, so that it can be driven fast
or slow, without the least inconvenience g.
A ten-horse power engine is sufficient to
move the machine, and drive the plows. And
to obviate the difficulty of going over uneven
ground the boiler is suspended so as to retain
its proper level at all times. The machine is
so constructed as to go straight ahead or per-
form circle, and is capable of being turned
short around 1t works either side to the
land, thus doing away with the necessity Of
going back every time to the place of begin
ming. 1t is also so constructed as to admit of
a sower and narrower being attached, when
the blowing, sowing and narrowing is done
all at the same time. It can also be attached
to thresher, mower or reaper, working
equally well with either, adapting itself to
general farm use. -.... = .- ...t 81