the iron, producing basic slag, that proved to be useful as a fertiliser. He set out to prove his theory with the aid of his cousin, Percy Carlyle Gilchrist (1851-1935), who had studied at the Royal School

at the salt works at Reichenhall. The publication of his book "Vollständige Theorie der Saug- und Hebepumpen" (A complete theory of suction and lifting pumps) at Bayreuth in 1797 led to a commission from

his new invention of a horse-drawn hoe while growing turnips, potatoes and wheat. He developed the theory that penetration by air, water and nutrients improved soil fertility. His most important single