306 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



to farming. Whether it be to pare an apple or plant a field of 

 corn, to saw wood or sow turnip seed, we rejoice in every offered 

 improvement. Some will of course be cheats, some "notions," 

 some will be badly constructed ; but as better ploughs and better 

 threshers and better corn-planters are offered, they will, as a 

 thousand improved implements have already done, gradually 

 win the field, and help on a blessed Sabbath day to tired and 

 aching human hands. 



The exhibition of tools this year was not great, but good. 

 There were ploughs that would evidently cut and turn the sod 

 like a surgeon's knife ; there were machine mowers that were 

 invented long since John Milton ventured his truthfulness on 

 the assertion that 



" The mower whets his scythe." 



There were shovels, and forks, and hoes, and spades, as bright 

 as the tools of the dentist ; so that, familiar as we have become 

 with improved implements, we were even surprised at their per- 

 fection. They would do every thing but convert digging into a 

 pastime and make poetry of work. 



That farmer is little better than an uninspired clod, who, 

 among his other blessings, is not thankful for such good tools. 

 We have heard of an old lady who brought out her medicinal 

 herbs every spring, and gave thanks that she had not been 

 obliged to use them. Might not the rational farmer as well 

 bring otit his tools, his ploughs, and pitchforks, and corn-plant- 

 ers, and the like, at least once a year, and give thanks that he 

 has been permitted to use them. 



Here we venture the thought that a good agricultural store, 

 (such as we have,) is a real blessing to the whole farming com- 

 munity. It aids our acquaintance with the improvements of 

 other parts, and thus helps us keep up with the age. If our 

 farmers could have a reading-room connected with such a store, 

 and hold occasional meetings for conversation and debate, it 

 would leave little to be asked for. It would be an improvement 

 certainly next to the new show-ground. 



Your committee were also authorized to speak of any new 

 ivention, ofTered to farming. One article of this description 

 claims our notice : this is called the " Gang Cultivator," for 

 softening land, covering seeds, guano and the like. It was put 



