386 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



granitic soil. We want something more of the plow than simply to 

 destroy the sod, grass and weeds ; we want something more than 

 ordinary pnlverization of the soil. As for the remark in the paper 

 which was presented to us, that the manufacturers of plows in 

 Maine have failed to make a plow that answers fully the wants of 

 the farmers of the State, let us look at it a moment, and see if 

 there is not more truth than poetry in the assertion. If the writer 

 intended to say that the manufacturers of plows in Maine have 

 failed to give to the farmers such a plow as they need, he has stated 

 the simple truth. If he intended to say that they have given to us 

 an inferior plow, as compared with manufacturers in other States, 

 it might be somewhat questionable. I believe that by the remark, 

 taking it in its full force, and with all the emphasis that you may 

 place upon it, no injustice is done to the manufacturers of any plow 

 in this State. It is simply saying to them, " No matter how nearly 

 up to the point of perfection you have come, you have not yet 

 arrived at that point ; we want something in the plow that we have 

 not yet found." I believe the plow is a long way from perfection, 

 or from meeting the wants of the farmers of Maine, and I would 

 not, for one, change the expression in that address. Wliile it does 

 no injustice whatever, I believe it will be productive, ultimately, 

 and 1 hope speedily, of great good, by calling the attention of our 

 manufacturers to this important question. 



Mr. Thing. If there is a plow manufactured in Maine that meets 

 my requirements I have never seen it. 



Mr. Luce. The nature of the soil, and the smoothness or rough- 

 ness of the land have a great deal to do with the working of a plow. 

 I have used the Frye plow, and it works admirably on smooth land, 

 but if you take rough lands, that plow does not work very well. 

 There is no plow that will answer every purpose. A man having 

 rough land wants a shorter plow than a man who has smooth land. 

 On smooth land, 1 have seen the Frye plow run ten, fifteen or 

 twenty rods without touching the handles. 



The discussion on plows ond plowing here terminated, and the 

 "board took up the question of 



Sheep Husbandry. 



Mr. Gii,nERT. Mr, Bodge, the member from Lincoln, being 

 obliged to leave town early this morning, had no opportunity to 

 present his paper, and left it in my hands, with the request that I 

 would read it, which with your leave I will do. 



