Electric ploughing

To solve the present farming crisis, agriculture will undoubtedly have to be industrialized by the aid of electric power. Considerable attention has been given to the applications of electricity in the farm buildings, but not so much to work on the land. Hence the subject of this paper, which covers the author´s own experimental work and the result of experience of observing electric ploughs in operation in other countries, over 200 of these machines being now in use abroad. An electric plough can be usefully operated for 200 days in the year. To obtain a concrete idea of the work to be accomplished, some notes are given concerning the objects of ploughing, the efficiency of the implements, the power required and the differing classes of soil to be dealt with. Methods of electrical distribution and tapping for the necessary current supply are described. They are quite simple in principle and reasonable in cost. The principal practical types of plough are then described. These include the large double-winder steel-rope machnines, based upon 40 years´ experience of British steam-plough practice. (These, of course, are only suitable for large areas and co-operative or contractor owning, as they cover 12 to 30 acres per day.) Also there is the newer development of the small calss of plough, suitable for the individual small farmer or market gardener. These are constructed on teh revived roundabout system and also on the tractor system. The author´s idea of the best form of this smaller type of plough is given. Rotary tillers are briefly described. The cost of electric ploughing is discussed. An interesting large-scale development of electric plough contracting under the auspices of electricity supply undertakings is mentioned. The paper concludes with a list of the advantages of electric ploughing and with a bibliography of the subject.