26 ESSEX SOCIETY. 



Ploughing. 



The Committee on ploughing with single ox teams, report 

 that seven entries were made, but only five of the teams ap- 

 peared on the field. The land appropriated for the purpose 

 was a tough grass sward, in a rich soil, free of stones or other 

 obstructions. It was laid out in lots, thirty feet wide and three 

 hundred feet long, with side furrows cut. The ploughing was 

 required to be done at least six inches deep, and without a 

 driver. All the teams but one did their work as required. 

 One team ploughed handsome, but not so deep as required. 

 The Committee did not feel at liberty to look at this work, as 

 coming into the competition, as it was not done in conformity 

 with the conditions on which the premiums were offered. 

 Whatever may be the opinion of competitors of the propriety 

 of these conditions, if they enter, understanding them, they are 

 bound to regard them for the time being. The work was done 

 by the several teams, in time varying from thirty-six to forty- 

 one minutes ; and with an average of twenty-two furrows, be- 

 ing a width of fourteen inches for the furrow slice. 

 To Hobart Clark, of Andover, first premium, - $8 00 



Benj. P. Ware, of Marblehead, second premium, - 6 00 

 Elijah Pope, of Danvers, third premium, - 4 00 



Henry Poor, of Andover, fourth premium, - 2 00 



The land was similar to that ploughed by the double teams : 

 only the furrows were not cut so deep, by about two inches. 

 The work of the double teams was completed in thirty min- 

 utes, being three-fourths of the time occupied by the single 

 teams. A fair question arises, which of these kinds of plough- 

 ing is most worthy of being used on the farm ? The fact that 

 there has been, almost every year, hvice as many double as sin- 

 gle teams on the field, seems to nidicate that the proprietors 

 themselves have an inclination for the use of double teams. 

 The committee are not unmindful that it is contended by 

 some, that one pair of cattle is sufficient to do ordinary plough- 

 ing ; and that six inches depth is as good as more. They have 

 heretofore been inclined to this opinion, and have attempted 

 cultivation in this manner. But they are satisfied from their 



