Si 



We were also much ^atliiecl with the appearance of several Card-v. 

 Backs, made of sea-shells, which were superior to any thing of the kind 

 "Which has before fallen under our notice. As they were not regularly 

 entered, we were unable to ascertain to whom the Society ig indebted for 

 their exhibition. 



In conclusion, your Committee would observe, that although they may 

 not, in all cases, have done exact justice to the relative claims of indi- 

 viduals, yet they would assure them that they have honestly exercised 

 their best skill and judgment to come to that result ; and those that may 

 feel disappointed should recollect, that where all txctl it is difficult to 

 determine who is best. 



All which is respectfully submitted. 



J. M. EARLE, Chairman pro tevj-.. 



Committee on the Ploughing Match. 



Joseph Thayer, of Uxbridge, Chairman ; Rufus Porter, of 

 Worcester ; Cyrus Leland, of Grafton ; John Whitney, of 

 Princeton ; Asa Pond, of Petersham. 



THE Committee on the Ploughing Match have the honour as well as 

 great satisfaction to inform the President, Trustees, and all the members 

 ©f this Society, that, in lieu of a race match^ we have this day had a~ 

 Ploughing Match, which has done great honour to all the competitors, 

 and much credit to this Institution. Although improvement has al- 

 ways been the professed object of our Ploughing Matches, your Com- 

 aaittee are well aware that, heretofore, all the operations of the com- 

 petitors have had reference principally if not wholly to time. This has 

 been owing, in some measure^ we think, to the competitors' not fully and 

 distinctly understanding the way and manner in which they were to ob- 

 tain the highest wages for their labour. Instead of commencing and 

 pursuing their work in a farmer-like manner, and attending to all the 

 parts which might aid and assist in perfecting the whole work, the end 

 of the land and the furrow which would cover the most ground were the 

 objects which the competitors had in view ; as if two or three seconds of 

 time would warrant them ^ premium. But, on this occasion, your Com- 

 mittee are happy to say that, in their opinion, greal advancement has 

 been made since the last year in this most valuable and important part 

 •f good husbandry ; and we think that the great increase of competitors, 

 in addition to the improvement made, is conclusive proof of the necessity 

 and utility of attending to this branch of our Exhibitions. 



Seventeen Ploughmen with their teams entered the field, and, being 

 well convinced of the truth of the sentiment advanced by Cato, when he 

 said the first rule in husbandry was to plough well^ they commenced 

 their work and ploughed two acres and one eighth of an acre, in 8 hours 

 and 25 minutes, which is much less than one half of the time usually oc- 

 cupied by those farmers who are regardless of improvement, and mispend 

 their time in the use of worn-out team? and worn-out ploughs. \nd 

 whoever will take the trouble, or rather the pleasure, of minutely exam- 

 ing the ploughing this day, will generally find a great uniformity in the 

 depth, width and lay of the furrows, which is equally beneficial to tha 

 succeeding crop and to th^ ease and advantage of the husbaadmaa i» 

 tilling his farm. 



