MAINE STATE SOCIETY. 23 



average difference in size will be observed, fully accounting for the 

 greater force of draught indicated for the plows of Maine. 



Being thus unable to carry out properly the intentions of the 

 Trustees in this trial, which if it could have been perfected, would 

 have conferred most important benefits upon the whole farming 

 community, by assisting in the selection of the best implements in 

 market, the committee have not felt authorized to make any awards 

 of premiums at present ; but have confined themselves to a careful 

 trial, side by side, of the different plows presented for experiment, 

 with a view to the commendation of those which have more particu- 

 larly made excellent work — but of course without any accurate 

 knowledge of the amount of force required for their draught. 



In the trial that was made, it is believed that some of the plows 

 of largest size, cutting sod slices over ten inches deep and twenty 

 inches wide, exerted a force not less than fifteen hundred pounds — 

 requiring a size of dynamometer entirely different from any the 

 committee had met with. All the plows were used with two yokes 

 of oxen or with four horses, except the largest plow, which had three 

 yokes of oxen. ' 



Some of the plows did not exhibit their best work, in consequence 

 of the anxiety of the owners to cut a larger furrow than the imple- 

 ment was capable of doing in the most perfect manner. 



The furrow slices, wherever their dimensions are given, were 

 carefully and accurately measured by the committee, and the meas- 

 urements given are sometimes considerably less than those claimed 

 by the owners or applicants. 



With scarcely an exception, all the plows tried, although defective 

 on some points, would be regarded as well made and excellent im- 

 plements, and a credit to the manufacturers. 



Description of Plows. 



Chandler, Brown & Co., Foxcroft — Foxcmft Plow, Nos. 3i and 4. 



The mold-board of this plow is medium in form, neither convex 

 nor concave, and rather straight; it holds easily and does good work; 

 the larger one cuts a slice in plowing sod about 74 inches deep and 

 15 inches wide, sometimes 8 by IG inches; the smaller nearly the 

 same dimensions. From the straightness of the mold-board, these 



