The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1871-12-01
An English Agricultural Locomotive.

The application of steam power to
EARNING is no longer an experiment.
The high price of labor and large area
Of our Western farmers will soon COM
pei its general introduction. 1t is not
for blowing and narrowing alone that
we demand something better than
horse power. We must have an engine
to thresh the grain, cut the wood, she'll
the corn, draw water, and do a dozen
other odd jobs about the barn. An en-.
CINE to meet our wants must be able to
do all the work of stationary engine,
be able to transport itself to any part of
the farm, and to drag the crops to mar
ket.
In England, where labor is cheap,
over three thousand steam plOws, be-
sides hundreds of other farm engines,
are at work.
We saw recently, at an agricultural
fair in England, number of engines of
various patterns. All are on wheels,
and either move themselves, or can be
dragged about by horses. One particu-
lar engine stood alone on the grass with
steam up, and light blue cloud Of
smoke was escaping from its slender
cular track, showing where it had been
driven round to show its PAGES. The
grass near it did not seem to have been
injured in the least. The boiler rested
upon four wheels. The forward truck
was movable. A small platform in3
front, with steering wheel, showed
how the machine was guided. The
driving-wheels were six feet in diane.
ter, and shod with rubber tires two
inches thick. The cab for the engineer
hung over the rear and carried the
Goals. The water tank was under the
boiler. The exhaust steam could be
turned into this, thereby saving fuel
greatly. The cylinder, safety valve,
&C., were placed on top. There was q
piece of short shafting on top, with a
fly-wheel attached. From the wheel
and shaft power was taken to drive the
saw, run the threshing machine, ele.
vate the hay, or do any farm work re-
quired.
Presently a man appears, mounts the
cab, and begins to stir up the fire. Call
ing q man to steer the hot headed beast,
he bids them 90 to the brook for water.
With gentle snort the huge thing
trundles swiftly over the grass toward
the brook. The crowd scampers after,
but is quickly distanced. Down the
bank it rushes in precipitate haste. We
are alarmed for its safety; but it neatly
turns round, and stands with two
wheels in the water. A pipe is put out
and the horse takes mighty swallows
into his wrought-iron stomach.
Presently, with a vigorous putting, it
starts to return up the bank. Meeting
with resistance, it develops tremendous
power, and climbs grade of one to five
easily. Its track over the sod is only
marked by slight hattening of the
grass. Next, at command, it runs
round "a small circle to show its speed
about ten miles an hour, we should
judge.
Its next performance is to run up be-
side winnowing machine, throw out a
belt, and run the apparatus at swift
and effective rate.
Next it is released and rolls over to
where a huge threshing machine on
wheels stands packed and ready Tor re-
moval. This is the last day Of the ex-
hibition, and preparations must be
made for the journey home. The loco
motive backs slowly up to the thresher,
and is quickly coupled with it. The
shackle used is so made that when
turning a corner the forward truck is
turned first, precisely as the shaft
horse pulls the wheels after him when
turning.
Next, with push the train backs up
to a huge straw elevator. This machine
is on wheels, and resembles one Of the
home. 1t is used to lift straw in bun.
dies to the lofts or to the tops Of ricks.
The elevator being coupled, the whole
train is ready to start. 1t consists of a
locomotive twelve feet long and weigh
ing seven tons, the thresher, weighing
five tons and fifteen feet long, and the
straw elevator, three tons and twenty
feet long, a total of fifteen tons and
forty-seven feet in length.
When all is ready, the engine starts
gently and easily, takes a great sweep
over the grass, and starts for one of the
entrance gates of the fair grounds
This gate leads to narrow, winding
lane, with only room for one team. The
| engine enters lHe lane aU an angie, anC
the train follows after, without touch
ing the gate-posts. 1t would take {
driver, with docile team, to do as wei
with horses.
Immediately on entering the Ian,
the engine comes to a soft place in tn,
road. The wheels sink into the muC
and stick fast The crowd gather
around and becomes, after the usua
English manner, derisive and doubtful
Really, if this is the style of the horse
he develops faults suddenly. Withou
word the owner steps up to the driv
err, and asks for "claw." This is
cast-iron shoe, made to fit the wheels
The gentleman quickly iastens it on
the wheels turn round and when tn
sharp edge of the claw strikes tn
ground the train moves forward foo
or so. The claw is used again, and tn
slough is easily passed.
He remarks: "That was an entir
bad slough. Don't meet such greas
mud often. When we do we unshackl
the engine or use the claws. With
chain we can drag the team through
and 60 on. The engine, when alone