The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1885-10-30
The steam Pillow at KiIauea, Kauai
Interesting description.

Interesting Description.
The steam pillow was first introduced |
into this country at Spreckelsville, Maui, |
and great deal was written about this |
powerful auxiliary in the cultivation of |
land Immediately after its powers were
tested on that plantation. Ali that was !
then said will probably apply to the !
plows | am abb ut to describe, as both !
plows are from the works OF Messrs !
John Fowler & CO., of Leeds, England |
For the important details as to horse |
power, steam pressure, etc, am IN |
debted to the courtesy OF Mr.. James |
Blackie, engineer in charge OF the XII
lauea steam pillow, and therefore the
figures furnished may be relied upon as
being correct in every respect. Speaking
as an observer, unskilled in the art OF
blowing, | may state that this cOmpara-
lively novel mode of disintegrating the
soil by steam power struck one at first
sight as something marvellous. Many
of our readers will probably remember
having seen two pOnderous engines
standing for several months within the
enclosure in front of H. Hackfeld q Co. 8
premises, Honolulu. If | mistake not,
steam was gotten up on one occasion
before their shipment to this Island, and
an exhibition given of their powers OF
locomotion. But that exhibition, COM
pared with the practical work done in
upturning the sod for the ultimate re-
ception of cane seed, is as the ocean
steamers trial trip on the placid waters
of the Clyde, when running the measured
mile, compared with her battling with
the elements on the bosom OF the i'm
plactable Atlantic. To be seen to adj
vantage these engines and plows must
be seen upturning the sod OF roughly
cleared fields Now on the level, now
in the tortuous gulf, going up and down
with apparently equal ease, at an average
rate of two and half to three miles an
hour.
At the present time the engines are
being worked on the mauka side OF the
Government road near the Kilauea
river. The engines are placed on oppo-
site headlands OF the field, at a distance
of about four hundred feet apart. The
double-ended five-furrowed pillow Is
drawn backward and forward, each en-
CINE moving itself on as required.
Whilst one end of the pillow is doing ser
vice. the other end is elevated above the
! ground, Mr.. Blackie, the popular plow-
man and engineer, occupying seat on
! the pIow where he is enabled to direct
the course by Il wheel lever connected
with cog-wheels, changing his seat at
each terminus. The whole framework
rests ON an axle and pair of wheels
about ten feet apart One wheel runs IN
the last f11rrow made, while the other
rms on the unplowed ground. The
mil is direct, and the whole work is the
acme of ease and simplicity. Wire ropes
are attached to the axle, andg whilst one
is dragging the pillow, the other IS being
overhauled to do service on the return
trip. 1t will thus be observed that the
plow proper does not require to be turned
round when the direction is reversed,
the necessity for this being obviated by
the alternate elevation and depression ol
the ends. The winding drums are fixed
underneath the boiler of each endine, the
weight of which, estimated at twelve
tons is sufficient to ensure stability tC
resist the motive power, the pull being
directly sideways. Each engine is 16-
horse power; pressure OF steam wheT
working, 40 pounds. The fuel consists
of cord or a cord and half OF puhal'
wood (pandanus) per day. The groun(
is penetrated to a depth of fifteen inches
bv the furrow plows, after which an IL
tired cultivator is used, going to deptl
e OF twenty inches. This is followed b!
y harrows twenty feet wide, which art
p also hauled backward and forward b.
. the engines, but much more rapidly thar
the plow Should the pillow become
chOked by an accumulation OF roots o
weeds and earth, as is the case occasion
!, ally, the man riding holds up his han,
1t and the engine stops. Another sigma
- follows, the other engine gives pul
backwards and the Instructions are i'm
mediately cleared. The tines are c
D, steel and strongly made, but shout
n they come in contact with some unsee
Z stone or large root, it sometimes happen
a, that they get twisted or the bolt throug