The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1883-12-13
Flowing by Steam Mt Home.

We have been pleased in reco4t iysues
to reprint from various papers in Indiana
aud other western States, accounts Of the
application Of our traction engines to
plowing; but we did not venture to an-
ticipate that we would so soon have the
opportunity Of seeing so great aud
plcasurable novelty in our own midst
and right at the very door of our facto-
ries This pleasure was afforded us
yesterday, and very gladly did we respond
to the kind invitation of the Geiser
Manufacturing Company to be present at
q !ria! TO come cg or the "a n::ct::::
Spring Farm" owned by John II. Frantz,
Esq, situated one mile east of this place.
At half-past twelve o'clock, "Peerless"
Traction engine No. 1880, with truck
aud "kimmell Gang Plow," the same
that was used in the trial recently had at
Cambridge, Ind, steamed out Of the
company's yards and in short time was
at the field Of operations, mile distant.
Cleats were placed upon the large double
driving wheels, the plows were adjusted
and at half-past one Charley" Kline, the
trusty engineer, opened the throttle and
away went the seven plows diving into
the hard matted sod and rolling it over
with all the apparent ease and grace that
but one plow attached. The initial
round lay through portion Of the field
where the grass had not been moved.
and where the stuple was tuity and obsti.
nate. Some difficulty was encountered
in the way of the plows cloggiDg, and it
happened that the fixture used for pre.
venting and overcoming this was not
present. On the return trip new land
was started in different part of the
field, where the surface was free from
stuble accunulations, and here it was
that the most perfect and gratifying work
was done. The speed was heightened to
the rate Of about six miles an hour and
every plow performed its functions, the
whole gang working beautifully and
harmoniously. The soil was of such a
character rs to afford thorough test,
being of a heavy clay, and covered with
thick growth of clover sod. The whole
gang consisting of seven plows, each
turning fourteen inches of land, was
used, one of which size is considered
plenty Of pulling for three horses. The
engine used was only twelve horse
power, and yet it walked away with q
twenty.one horse load without the slight
est apparent effort or Inconvenience,
demonstrating beyond all question that
the traction engine can be successfully
adapted for plowing, and that in point Of
amount of work done, and comparative
cost, the old "gep" business is nowhere.
1t had seemed almost incredible, hitherto,
that the success of this method of plow-
ing could be fully up to the Representa-
tions made, but this "proof positive" has
convinced US and we very cordially join
in saying, with Others who have written
the matter up. that il can be did, and
right here in franklin county as well as
West, if the soil Is reasonably free from
limestone aud other distractions.
About two hundred people from town
and country witnessed the novel expert.
mont, who were intensely delighted with
the feat and its entire success. The trial
was made under the supervision of the
gifted patentee, Il. +. Lands, accompa.
nicd by some of the officers and Direc.
tors of the Company, all of whom have
abundant reason TO be greatly pleased
and encouraged by this splendid home"
exhibition of the merits of their engine.
Key Stone Ia.) Gazette.