420 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



They also had two great objections, but entirely different. 

 First. It was very diflScult to keep them on. Second. They 

 had to be made with so large a proportion of the wood front 

 of the foot, that it was very hard for a horse to work with 

 them. After I had had any reasonable amount of trouble with 

 these, I invented and made a set of the style marked No. 3, 

 which worked well, and seemed for a while to obviate every 

 difficulty ; they were much liked in this vicinity ; some twelve 

 or fifteen procured sets of them. They worked well while the 

 straps were new and strong, but with constant use they would 

 not continue so but a short tifiae. After using them one season, 

 I found the cost of straps, together with the time it took to 

 mend and replace them, quite a heavy item. I then tried to 

 substitute iron for leather, and at last succeeded. The result 

 is set No. 4, to which I would call your particular attention. 

 The woods are new. The irons were made last season, and 

 are the first ever made. They have worn out one set of woods. 

 They are easier for a horse than any other kind I have ever 

 seen. They are fast taking the place of all other kinds in 

 this vicinity ; we have no trouble now with chafed ankles, sore 

 feet, rackets off, a horse in the mud, broken straps, &c. &c. 

 I wish all who have occasion to use rackets, to have the benefit 

 of this style until they can get something better. 



Lexington, October 4, 1853. 



HAMPSHIKE. 



From the Report of the Committee. 



Inventive genius is progressive. It never ceases in its con- 

 stant and untiring efforts. Its motto is " Excelsior," and its 

 aim, perfection. Onward and upward, ever has been, and ever 

 will be, its triumphant march. No obstacle, however difficult, 

 seems to impede its course, — no eminence is too high for it to 

 surmount. Like a mighty river, wide and deep, that flows 

 fearlessly over rocks and through mountain defiles to the sea ; 

 the genius of invention moves on with irresistible power. At 

 the present day, the creations of mechanical genius rise up 

 around us in so many multiplied and surprising forms, that we 



