246 PISCATAQUIS COUNTY SOCIETY. 



■whole, so far as the competitors are concerned. We have not here- 

 tofore been inclined to look on these contests with much favor, for 

 the good to be drawn therefrom. Eight teams entered for the trial, 

 six working with oxen and two with horses. The plows used were, 

 with one exception, from the well known manufactory of Chandler, 

 Brown & Co. of Foxcroft, the exception being a Hersey plow, from 

 South Paris, Me. The depth of work made was from 7 to 9 inches, 

 and the width about double the depth. The field was in a rather 

 stiff sod ; the conditions of soil varying from a sandy loam to that 

 of a harder substance and mixed with stones, small and great, to a 

 degree most perplexing to a plowman not possessed of a good chris- 

 tian temper. The great diversity in condition of the several lands 

 drawn by the contestants, contributed much in making the assumed 

 position of your committee one of extreme delicacy. The discipline 

 of the teams, the careful, quiet and humane deportment of the sev- 

 eral teamsters, the skill of the plowman, the condition of the plows, 

 whether working with isolated or Jin cutters, and the general ap- 

 pearance of the work when completed, were all noted as well as the 

 diversity in soil as above ; and so nicely balanced is the whole 

 thing, with this uncertain sliding allowance for harder lots, that we 

 would like to be excused from indicating our preferences in the 

 case." 



Premiums were, however, awarded to Simon Crockett of Dover, 

 plowing with horse team, James Chandler of Foxcroft, with horse 

 team, P. M. Jefferds of Foxcroft, W. B. Holmes of Foxcroft, Daniel 

 Hutchinson of Sangerville, William Oilman of Foxcroft, Leonard 

 Robinson of Foxcroft, and William S. Mayhew of Foxcroft, each 

 working with oxen. 



Crops. 



Indian Corn. First premium to Andrew J. Chase, 68^ bushels 

 on one acre. 



For best mixed crop, to Byley Lyford, Jr., for 72| bushels 

 shelled corn, 3^ bushels beans, and 4 loads pumpkins, on one acre. 



Second, to E. L. Hammond, 60 bushels corn, 4| bushels beans, 

 .and 3 loads pumpkins. 



