42 ANNUAL OF SCIENTIFIC DISCOVERY. 



form of the mold-board, insisting that it should be constructed on sci- 

 entific principles. These principles were probably first applied by 

 Robert Smith, of Buckingham, Pa., about 1804-6, as he obtained a 

 patent for a cast-iron mold-board, and wrote upon the subject about 

 that time. In 1814, years after cast-iron plows had been in successful 

 use in England, and partially so in this country, Jethro Wood obtained 

 a patent for a cast-iron plow, in three parts, similar to one said to have 

 been in use previous to that time in Virginia. In 1817, Edwin A. 

 Stevens, of Hoboken, N. J., took up Newbold's plow, with a view to 

 improve its form, so as to make the draft easier. He took his patent 

 in 1821, included in which was the process of cold-chilling the cutting 

 edges and parts of the share most likely to wear out. His plan was so 

 perfect that it was highly approved of, but other engagements pre- 

 vented him from extending what he had so successfully begun. 



In 1810, Josiah Dutcher, of New York, commenced" a series of im- 

 provements which are to be found upon nearly all the cast-iron plows 

 now in use, and which have been of immense benefit to the farmers of 

 this country. 



Finally, we would not omit to mention the name of Joel Nourse, of 

 Massachusetts, as one who, in connection with his partners, has prob- 

 ably done more toward making the cast-iron plow a perfect implement 

 than any other individual, though many others are entitled to high 

 praise for doing, to the extent of their ability, so much to lessen the 

 labour of tilling land. 



Among the plows on exhibition at the Crystal Palace, the following 

 presented peculiarities worthy of notice. 



One of an awkward, unique appearance, was constructed as follows : 

 Two common cast-iron shares, with small mold-boards, are attached by 

 two rods, about two feet long, to each share, to the side pieces of a 

 wooden frame, made to expand so as to increase the width of the fur- 

 rows apart, and upon the cross pieces of the frame, are placed the 

 handles, and a short neap, to which the horses are attached, both made 

 to raise or lower to suit the hand of the holder or the height of the 

 team. These shares can be readily shifted so as to turn furrows out or 

 in, and by straddling a row of corn, both sides can be plowed, and dirt 

 turned from or to it, at once going through. 



One of the most beautiful of the agricultural implements exhibited, 

 was a new " horse hoe," by Ruggles, Nourse, & Mason. This neat 

 little tool weighs only 63 pounds, and will cut a furrow 20 inches wide. 

 It is made of 2^ inch square timber, the beam or center-piece 3 feet 

 9 inches long, with a slightly crooked wing-piece on each side. On 

 the forward end of the beam, a regulating* draught circle is placed, 

 and a depth-guage wheel underneath. A little further back is a cut- 

 ting tooth, and at the hind end a double-sided share or hoe, running 

 flat, making a cut thirteen inches wide. On each end of the wing- 

 pieces a hoe of smaller dimensions and different shape is placed, which 

 is easily sliii'ted so as to turn little furrows in or out, as may be desired. 

 It is a very effective tool, and in some respects preferable to the ordi- 

 nary triangular Avooden-framed five-toothed cultivator, being so light 



