FOWLER, JOHN (1826-1864), English inventor, was born at Melksham, Wilts, on July i 1, 1826. He invented, about 185o, a mechanical system for the drainage of land. In 1852 he began ' experiments in steam cultivation, and in 1858 the Royal Agricul tural Society awarded him the prize of f Soo for a steam-cultivator that should be an economic substitute for the plough or the spade. In 186o he founded at Hunslet, Leeds, the firm of Fowler and Co., manufacturers of agricultural machinery, traction engines, etc. He died at Ackworth, Yorkshire, on Dec. 4, 1864.