WAY-SIDE HINTS 



gard to American plows, which, from the fact 

 that they have received occasional commenda- 

 tory prizes from foreign committees, have been 

 counted by the sanguine superior to all other 

 implements of the name, and gushing orators 

 have lavished brilliant periods upon our supe- 

 riority to the world in this branch of agricul- 

 tural mechanism. Nothing surely can exceed 

 the best American plows in their adaptation to 

 present American needs. They are light, com- 

 pact, strong, and in rough lands are by half 

 more manageable than the best English imple- 

 ments. But supposing a great reach of well- 

 tilled and perfectly cleared field, and the im- 

 proved iron Scotch plow will lay a far more 

 true and even furrow with one half the expen- 

 diture of manual force. Under such circum- 

 stances, the great weight of the Scotch im- 

 plement, added to its carefully adjusted poise, 

 counts in its favor. We sloall gain nothing by 

 denying this and by exaggerating the value 

 of our wooden framework, which has been 

 suggested at once by the cheapness of timber 

 material and by the exigencies of a rough 

 country. Nor have I any manner of doubt 

 that as our culture ripens into seizure of all 

 economic methods, our implement makers will 

 adapt themselves to the new demands with 



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