The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1882-01-25

ing no more would be got through, for the
reason Of there being Two more tines on and
Gin. greater depth penetrated, but manly be-
cause of this crcss-cultivating bringing TO the
surface all the roots which by the FIRST
working had only been cut through, and the
frame of the machine being nearer to the
ground choking up would be frequent. Each
engine requires ,oo0 gallons of water per day,
and consumes one cord of wood for fuel. The
men employed are two eDgine-drivers, one
ploughman, a wood-carter, and a water-car-
ter; waste and oil come to, say, LIS. per
week The total cost per day is about "a los,
including depreciation and interest, or from
los. to les. per acre for ploughing or twice
cultivxting, according as the land is easy or
otherwise, or roots and choking-up frequent.
At present only the slow speed is used for
fear of roots. Next season there will be no
Lindrances in the ground, and the fast gear
ing, which gives an increase of half as much
speed more, will be worked; thus, independ-
emily of the time saved by having no stoppages
through roots, the expense per acre will be
greatly reduced The present contract price
at which ploughing has been let to bullock
drivers in the neighbourhood is 22s. Sd. per
acre. The character of the work done by the
steam-plough was, without eIagGeration per-
feet plonghing; that is, the soil was al turned
over, there were no misses, the depth was
regular at Hin, and the furrow was inverted
at proper angle. Anything better in plough
ing could not be. The plough in use was
Fowler's three-furrow balance plough its
peculiar shape is familiar TO must persons
through the numerous illustrations published.
1t is pulled forwards and backwards, as is the
cultivator, but it is not turned round, for the
implement! is double-that is, there are six
ploughs on the huge framework, three point
ing to one engine and three to the other; and,
instead of turning round at the end of the
furrow, the three ploughs that were in the
ground are lifted out, and the same actor,
puts the three spare onss into place ready to
start on the backs ward trip. 1t is a most
ingenious and effective contrivance, and COM
pletely under the control of the man riding on
the plough. 1t is Mr.. Macmillan's intention
to use a six-furrow plough for next years
operations other than breaking up new land.
Every planter intending to work l,COO acres
should most certainly buy one. 1t would be
simply folly to go on in the old way with
horses, when as extensive an area as 900
acres had to be cultivated. For less area
than that l doubt the ACCESSIBILITY of the in
vestmcnt but two planters could join capital
in such case. Anyone who has once used it
will never revert to animal-power again. |;
must be remembered that tile system has got
beyond the experimental stage, and has de-
velopsd, chiefly through the skill and capital
of John Fowler s. Co., into reliable and
powerful slave. Mr.. Walter Noakes, the
confidential representative Of Fowler & Co., is
at present at Mackay, and understand he has
orders for two sets for Mackay plantations,
two sets for the Herbert River, aud one more
for the Burdekin; SO that in another twelve
months no less than six of these powerful aids
10 production will be working on the sugar
plantations of the North. The wheat farmers
Of our Downs country might well take les
son in energy from the planters in our
encrvating" North.
These plough engines can be used for any
If the usual purposes of the farm during til"
season they are not at work in the fields; ant
t is Mr.. Macmilan's intention to employ then
or irrigation purposes, if such is found nee
'ssary. 1t happened now and again that in
raveling about one Of the engines has chances
lpon a soft spot, and in spite OF the broac |
wheels lift. lin. wide as they are) down III
leavy machine sinks up to the axle. APP |
'arently it is irretrievaby begged, but til
arth is cleared away in front OF the wheel, :,
Hank put down if the land is very soft, uIi |
teams its huge mate, but remains on firm, /
round, the winding-rope is attached, botl.
ngines turn on steam; there is no jibbing-:
9th pull together-and out comes the begged
Monster without a stroke of the whip or any
expenditure of fOrcible language by the driver.