SECRETARY'S REPORT. 



179 



it is fully ripe ; I think this can be safely put down at ten per 

 cent., and some call it as high as twenty per cent." A farmer 

 in another town in the same county says : " Have not used any. 

 There arc a number of machines in the town. Allen's patent 

 has done the best work this season. Ketchum's improved 

 machine does pretty well. I think they are coming into use 

 more and more." 



The following extract is from the statement of Dr. Loring, 

 made to the Essex Society during the past season. 



" The ground upon which my machine (Ketchum's) was 

 operated, furnished a very severe test of its power. Most part 

 of it is clayey, heavy soil, very wet in wet seasons and stiff and 

 rough in dry ones. No special care has been taken in laying it 



