298 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



feature, we regard it as superior. We regard it also as less 

 liable to clog than any machine with fingers or guards, like 

 those of Ketchum, Manny and Allen. In other important fea- 

 tures it is equal to the other machines. 



We therefore unhesitatingly, confidently and unanimously, 

 express the opinion, that the Heath machine, entered by D. C. 

 Henderson, is entitled to the premium of one thousand dollars, 

 if that premium is awarded the present year. 



Moses Newell. 

 Thomas E. Payson. 

 Thomas W. Ward. 



Boston. September 12, 1856. 



ESSEX. 



From the Report of the Committee. 



The committee on farm implements have endeavored to 

 awaken the attention of farmers to the importance of this sub- 

 ject. They regret to say they have not succeeded in this to the 

 extent of their wishes. In some departments of labor great 

 improvements have been made within a few years. In the 

 structure of the plough, for instance, no man would now be 

 willing to be seen trudging along behind such ploughs as were 

 in use when he was young, with the furrow-slice poorly cut, 

 and worse turned. In the mowing field it is a very short time 

 since improvement of any kind has been attempted, — especially 

 by the introduction of machinery, operated by horse or ox power. 

 But so complete are the implements now in use for this pur- 

 pose, and so readily is skill in their management acquired, that 

 your committee feel confident the time is not far distant, when 

 a perfectly constructed mowing machine will be deemed an 

 indispensable implement on every well-conducted farm. We 

 can remember when the thought of cutting grass by horse- 

 power, except by the use of the jaws of the animal, would have 

 been scouted as visionary and impracticable. But it has been 

 demonstrated that one man, with a pair of medium sized horses 

 properly trained, can cut an acre of grass per hour, and so con- 

 tinue to operate through the day, without unreasonable fatigue 



