ANDROSCOGGIN SOCIETY. 211 



ricultiiral matters, becomes necessary. It is very gratifying to 

 the lovers of improvement that the inventive genius of man has 

 not yet attained to a limit, and in our mode of culture no im- 

 plement is so important as the plow, inasmuch as no after cul- 

 ture can atone for bad plowing; and all juflicous farmers will 

 agree that that plowing is best which most corapletly buries all 

 vegetable matter, and leaves the ground in the lightest and 

 most mellow condition. The sod and subsoil plow, which was 

 the kind used by Lewis Gilbert, of Greene, and which he says 

 is the Michigan Double Plow improved, effected this object in a 

 degree very highly satisfactory to the committee, and all other 

 beholders ; caution would be necessary in regard to adopting 

 it on strong land; but the committee could see no reason why 

 its general introduction, where the soil is tolerably free from: 

 obstructions, would not be a decided improvement. 



On rough, stony ground, the large wood plow used by Mr. 

 Isaac G. Field would be best, but on the ground where the ex- 

 periment was tried, taking into account the ease of draft, the 

 committee were of opinion that the iron plow used by Mr. 

 Bradford was most economical. 



Oliver Mower, Chairman. 



Agricultural Tools. 



We wisli to say a few words in relation to the prevailing- 

 sentiment, that farmers can do without, or at least, get along 

 with, but few, and those of the most ordinary and cheap kind of 

 tools. This is not fiction or fancy of the brain, but fact that 

 stands out in bold relief. Let any one that will take pains to 

 inform himself, ask the manufacturer and wholesale merchant; 

 let him travel over this fine county, and he will find almost eve- 

 rything in the shape of tools but the right kind ; yes, and men 

 abundantly able, using these miserable things year after year,, 

 because they make or buy them very cheap. This is a great 

 error, and ought to be corrected. To think that so vast an: 

 amount of capital should be managed in this way is lamentable. 

 Why, sir, its comparative amount would swallow up all other 

 industrial pursuits; and dependent on the successful manage- 



