240 HAMPDEN SOCIETY. 



Experience has satisfied most farmers that a large high hill is 

 not necessary" for corn, and if the land is well ploughed to com- 

 mence with, and the surface kept mellow with the cultivator, 

 there is but little danger of a poor crop. 



Hay and Manui^e Forks. — There are few agricultural im- 

 plements that have received more improvement than these. 

 The forks that were in use in New England thirty years ago, 

 would now be considered almost a load for a lad of sixteen, 

 while the Partridge, the Morse, the Van Ornam forks, and a 

 large number of others that might be named, are sought after 

 for the pleasure of using them. 



Shovels, Spades, Hoes and Axes, come in for their share in 

 the general improvements, though probably more attention has 

 been paid to the weight and finish, than to the form of the im- 

 plements. The Messrs. Ames, of N. Easton, in this State, will 

 challenge the world in the shovel and spade line, while Messrs. 

 Tuttle and Markham claim prominence in manufacturing supe- 

 rior hoes. The Douglas Company, of Massachusetts, and the 

 Collins Company, of Connecticut, stand at the head of the list 

 in producing superior axes. 



The Horse Hay-rake comes under the head of the latest 

 improvements, having been introduced within the present cen- 

 tury. The labor saving qualities of this implement, requires 

 its use, before it will be fully appreciated. It is estimated to 

 save the labor of at least five men, and in emergencies, that 

 of a much greater number, after paying for itself in five days, 

 and sometimes in as many hours. The spring-tooth rake, for 

 rough land, is much in use, though it being necessary to lift it 

 from the ground to unload it, will prevent its being generally 

 used, Avhen another will answer the purpose. Another objec- 

 tion to it is, that it takes the sticks, straw, leaves, or whatever 

 may be upon the ground, and fills the hay with dust and grit, 

 which very greatly diminishes its value. Several varieties of 

 the spring-tooth rake have been made, but as yet we know of 

 none that have been brought to that perfection, that will war- 

 rant their use. Delano's Independent Horse Rake, patented in 

 1849, is much liked, though as yet but little introduced into 

 use. The revolving wooden rake, manufactured by the Messrs. 



