IMPROVE- IN DRAINING LAND
Year: 1850

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JOHN
FOWLER, Junior, of Melksham, in the County of Wilts, Engineer, send
greeting.
WHEREAS Her present most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Royal Letters Patent under the Great Seal of the United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Ireland, bearing date at Westminster, the Seventh day of March,
One thousand eight hundred and fifty, in the thirteenth year of Her reign,
did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the said
John Fowler, my exors, adññiors, and assigns, Her especial licence, full
power, solo privilege and authority, that I, the said John Fowler, my exors,
adñiors, and assigns, or such others as I, the said John Fowler, my exors,
admors, or assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others, from
time to time and at all times during the term of years therein expressed,
should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend, within England,
Wales, and the Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, my Invention of "IMPROVE-
IN DRAINING LAND;" in which said Letters Patent is contained a
proviso that I, the said John Fowler, shall cause a particular description of
the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be
performed, by an instrument in writing under my hand and seal, to be
inrolled in Her said Majesty's High Court of Chancery within six calendar
months next and immediately after the date of the said in part recited
Letters Patent, as in and by the same, reference being thereunto had, will
more fully and at large appear..

page_text: NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the said
John Fowler, do hereby declare that the nature of my said Invention, and
the manner in which is to be performed, are fully described and ascertained
in and by the following statement thereof, reference being had to the Drawings
hereunto annexed, and to the figures and letters marked thereon, that is to
say:
My Invention consists, first, of improvements in ploughs and machinery
suitable for draining land, and for introducing pipes, tubes, or other material
suitable to be used for the purpose of drainage into the hollows produced by
such ploughs. And this part of my Invention also consists of improvements
in causing pipes, tubes, or other material suitable to be used for the purpose
of drainage, to be drawn into the earth after a subsoil plough.
Secondly, my Invention consists of improvements in the making wood tubes
for the draining of land. And,
Thirdly, my Invention consists in employing heather in the draining of
land.
And in order that my Invention may be most fully understood, and readily
carried into effect, I will proceed to describe the means pursued by me.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Figure 1 shews a side view, and Figure 2 a plan of a plough constructed
according to my Invention. a, a, and b, b, are the supporting wheels. The
wheels a, a, turn upon the axis a', which is carried by the frame a³, and
the frame a supports one end of the frame c, that end of the frame c passing
through the front and back parts of the frame a³, and turning therein, by which
the wheels a, a, will be permitted to accommodate themselves to the inequalities
of the surface of the soil. The wheels or rollers b, b, turn upon the shaft b', and
this shaft ¹ is formed to receive the ends of tho adjusting screws 6 with the
capability of those ends turning freely therein. These screws 6 pass through
female screws formed in the frame d, as shewn, so that by turning the screws
in one or other direction, the distance between the shaft and the frame d
will be varied. The frames c and d are connected together by means of the
cross bar c¹, which connects the two sides of the frame c together, and by
means of screw bolts is connected to the frame d.
The frames c, d, are also connected together at their ends by the pin &³.
The object of this outside frame is to prevent the heel of the plough from
rising, by throwing a part of the weight thrown by the draft on the pin c¹ on
the pin d³, and thus counteracting the tendency of the coulter to turn from its
vertical position. 9 is the coulter, to which is attached the foot h, such foot

page_text: having a slot formed therein with a dovetail end, to receive the dovetail edge
of the end of the coulter 9, and it is then made fast to the coulter g by
ineans of the screw h¹. The coulter 9 is guided in its vertical position by
means of the guide rollers d', d', carried by the frame d. i, i, are supports, one
on each side of the frame d, to the cross bar 2, in which is formed a socket to
receive the end of the screw g¹, by which the depth of working of the instru-
ment his regulated. The coulter 9 has a slot or opening formed in it in the
direction of its length to admit of the working of the screw g', as shewn; 9³ is
a bearing carried by the upper end of the coulter g. This bearing is formed
with a female screw to receive the screw 9', by turning which in one or the
other direction, it will be evident the depth of working of the instrument h will
be varied. jis a lever, by which the coulter and its shoe h may be raised out.
of the soil; it turns upon the axis j¹ carried by the frame d, and at its other or
shorter end it has a jointed piece j', which is capable of turning upwards, as
shown, so as to pass by the teeth on the back of the coulter g, but by the
form of those parts it is prevented turning in the opposite direction. When it
is required to make use of the lever j to raise the coulter g, the bearing
gof the screw g¹³ must be released from the coulter g, so as to detach the
screw from the coulter, when by acting upon the longer end of the lever j, the
shorter end thereof will pass into the notches formed in the back of the coulter
and shoe will be raised. In place of this lever for raising the coulter, 9, I
sonictimes make use of a pinion taking in teeth formed at the back of the
coulter. When the plough is used to cut through level or nearly level
ground, it is necessary that the cutting should progressively vary in its depth,
so that the tiles or tubes laid therein may have an inclination given to them.
For this purpose I affix to the upper end of the screw 9 a pulley 9", partly
around which passes the endless band k, which passes over the guide pulleys k³,
the supports of which are carried by the upper end of the screw 9', as shewn.
The band thence passes round the pulley, on one of the wheels a, so as
that, when those wheels revolve, a gradual motion will be given to the screw 9,
varying the depth of cut made by the parts g, h. And I would here state,
that I prefer that the endless band should be composed wholly or in
part of vulcanized india rubber, so as to be elastic, and thus accommodato
itself to the varying distance between the pulleys. 7 is an extra coulter, which
is supported at its upper end at the point l', as shown; and at its lower end it
is forked, in order to its embracing and thereby being guided by the coulter g.
The object of the supplementary coulter is, by its sharper edge first to cut
through the upper surface of the soil, where the coulter g is formed of a blunted
edge to work against the front roller d'. m is the draught bar, which is.

page_text: retained in position by the chain m³, such chain m¹ being connected and the
draught bar m by a pin m³; and this pin m³ carries a roller m³, which
constantly bears against the back of the coulter 9. The draught bar mis
forked to the point 'm; it is then continued a single bar or rod to the eye m³,
which receives a hook from the chain m², by which the plough is connected
to the series of pulleys and windlass by which draught is obtained to the
plough, as I will now proceed to describe.
.
Figure 3 shows a side view, and Figure 4 a plan of a windlass which I
employ in carrying out my Invention. n, n, is the framing, which is supported
upon the wheels as shown, by which it may be removed from one locality to
another. n' are shafts for a horse. The wheels o turn upon the cranked
axle o, by which the frame n may be lowered to the ground, as is well
understood. P is a cross head for levers, which, when the apparatus is in
use, have horses attached thereto. These levers are fixed in the sockets in
the frame p, affixed to the spindle p³, which turns in the bearings p', p', as
shown. On this shaft p is affixed the bevilled tooth wheel p', which gears
into and gives motion to the bevilled wheel p affixed to the axis of the
drum p. This drum receives, and in working winds up, one end of each of
the ropes 9; the other end of each of these ropes is attached by any suitable
means to the framing n (and I prefer to use for the purpose ropes made of
twisted wire). The ropes 9 pass partly round the pullies g', which are con-
nected together by the chain q, which passes partly round the pulley
; the frame of this pulley is by means of the hook attached to the
chain m', and thus, when the apparatus, Figures 3 and 4, is affixed by
means of suitable stays (as is well understood in using other windlass
apparatus for like purposes), and set in motion, the ropes 9 will be drawn
up, and the plough drawn across the field or other part to be drained.
The shoe h is separately shown at Figure 5, which I prefer to be somewhat
larger than the diameter of the pipes to be laid in the trench formed by
the instrument h, and I introduce to the channel or hollow formed by the
instrument h, at the time of forming such channel, in the following manner :-
To the back of the instrument h is attached the ring h², to which I make fast
one end of a short chain or cord, to which is attached, by any suitable means,
a cord, which I successively pass through the pipes to be laid. The object
of such short chain or cord is, that the cord which carries the pipes may, when
required, be disconnected from the plough when in use, and when I have thus
strung on the quantity of lengths of tube or pipe required, I, by means of a
knot or otherwise, secure the last of the series of pipes or tubes to prevent
their coming off the cord; then, when the windlass or other means used to

page_text: draw the plough is set in motion, and the plough is drawn through the ground,
the tubes or pipes will be drawn in after the instrument h, and thus by the one
operation be deposited in the subsoil. The instrument, Figure 5, is suitable to
be used when cylindrical drawn pipes or tubes are to be used. In many cases,
however, I prefer to use drain pipes or tubes, whose external figure in cross
section is that of a square or other figure, having angular sides or surfaces.
Figure 6 shows a shoe or instrument h, suitable to be used when a drain
pipe or tube, whose external sectional figure is that of a square, is to be
employed; and Figures 7, 8, and 9, show one of such drain pipes or tubes.
And drain pipes or tubes shown at Figures 7, 8, and 9, can readily be made
from wood by sawing the same, as may also other angular forms. A' is a
slit formed in the side of such pipe or tube, for the purpose of more readily
admitting moisture into. the interior of the tube or pipe; such slit or opening
I produce by bringing the side of the tube or pipe against a revolving-saw.
Figures 10, 11, and 12, show a side view, an end, and a plan of a machine
suitable for cutting wooden pipes. B, B, is the framing, which is supported
upon carrying wheels C, C, in order to its being readily removed to or from
the locality where the draining is to be effected. B¹, B', are shafts for the
attachment of a horse. When the machine is to be used the carrying wheels
are to be removed, and the frame allowed to rest on the ground or other suit-
able temporary supports, and there be made fast in any suitable manner.
D, E, are the saws, which are respectively fixed to the spindles D', E'.
F, F, are tables by which the wood to be cut is supported. G, G, are shift-
ing gauges to regulate the width of the piece cut off by the saws. These
gauges are capable of being set to the position required by means of set
screws G, G. Motion is given to the spindles on which the saws are fixed
in the following manner:-H is the main shaft or axle which receives motion
by means of a strap or band from a steam engine or other power passing
partly round the drum I, fixed on that axis. Upon the axis H is fixed the
drum or pulley J, which, by means of the strap K, gives motion to the
drum D, affixed to the spindle D', thus driving the saw D. The saw E
receives motion from the axis H, by means of a band Ļ passing over a
pulley M on the axis H, and over a pulley N on the axis N', which by
means of a band O gives motion to a pulley E, affixed to the axis of the
saw E. The saw E I use to cut the timber into thicknesses suitable for the
diameter of the intended tube, and when such pieces of timber are of shapes
that would not be conveniently guided on the apparatus, I prefer to affix
them in any suitable manner on to a separate frame or carriage, and then
guide the carriage carrying such pieces of timber, so that the timber may be
;

page_text: correctly cut by the saw. The other saw I use to cut the picces of wood
(suitably cut by the saw E into the required thickness) into widths for
the intended tubes, so that when the wood has been acted upon to be cut up
by the two saws it will be of the section of the intended tube or pipe. In
order to cut the longitudinal slits or openings, I rest one end of the piece of
wood to form the intended pipe or tube in the recess z, and press the side
to be cut against the saw until the required cut is obtained.
Figure 18 .shows a side and end view of apparatus to be used for boring
wood drain pipes or tubes. P is a spindle, which is driven by means of a band
from any suitable power acting upon the drum P¹ affixed on that spindle.
The spindle P carries a socket to receive the cutting instrument Q. A, shown
by red lines, is the piece of wood to be bored to form a drain pipe or tube. It
is supported in the carrier R, which is capable of sliding on the bench S.
R', R, are two handles by which the workman moves it and the piece of wood
to be bored towards the cutting instrument. The handle R' is screwed into
the carrier R, and, by pressing against the piece of wood A, is the means of
retaining it in the carrier. Upon the cutting instrument Q is fitted the series
of cutters Q', which cut away to form the forcet of the pipe; and at the other
end of the spindle P is a socket to receive à cutting instrument T, by which
the spigot is formed. This cutting instrument T also carries a small boring
instrument T, by which small holes A³ may be formed in the sides of the wood
drain pipe or tube. The object of this spigot and forcet ends is that when the
pipes are drawn in by the rope they may be laid with greater breadth, and thus
offer no obstruction to the water, and allow the rope to be easily drawn out.
Figures 14 and 15 shew two views of another arrangement of apparatus for
cutting and boring wood drain pipes or tubes. The cutting instrument Qin
this caso is supported in a socket formed in the spindle P, to which motion is
given by means of a strap or band acting on the drum P. R is the carrier,
and R' an excentric lever, by which the piece of wood to be bored is held
down in the carrier, and R2 is another lever by which a side wedging is
obtained. By this arrangement the cutting tool only passes rather more than
half way through the piece of wood at each operation, and the carrier is
capable of turning round on the centre pin R³ so as to present each end of the
piece of wood A to the action of the cutting instrument. R is a lever (with
a slot in it for the passage of the pin R³) by which the carriage is borne
towards the cutting instrument Q. These boring instruments I set in motion
by placing them at a suitable distance from the apparatus described with
respect to Figures 10, 11, and 12, so that a band from the drum N inay give
motion to their drums or pulleys.

page_text: In carrying out the third part of my Invention, instead of using pipes or
tubes, as the Drawing means, I twist heather into the form of a rope, and
I draw such heather rope into the hollow formed by the instrument h, by
attaching one end thereof to the short chain or rope before referred to.
Laving thus described the nature of my said Invention, and the manner
in which the same is to be performed, I would wish it to be understood that
I do not confine myself to the details herein given, so long as the peculiar
character of any part of my Inventinn be retained. But what I claim is,―
First, the improvements herein described in subsoil ploughs. I also claim
the means herein described for drawing pipes or other material suitable to
be used for producing manurage into land; and I also claim the so arranging
machinery and apparatus, and working the same, that square or angular sided
tubes or pipes may be drawn into the land.
Secondly, I claim the improvements in machinery for cutting and drilling
solid wood drain tubes or pipes, and thus to cheapen and facilitate the use of
wood drain pipes or tubes in draining of land; also I claim the use of solid
wood pipes or tubes; and I also claim the use of pipes or tubes of wood with
saw cuts therein for draining land.
Thirdly, I claim the employing of heather in the form of a rope, for the
purpose of drainage, as described.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Fowler, have hereunto set my
hand and seal. this Fourth day of September, in the year of our Lord