48 



■enough. However, it made fair work, for which the Com- 

 mittee awarded the third premium of $8. 



Mr. Wm. Foster, of North Andover, used F. F. IIol- 

 brooks' Side-hill Plough Xo. 7. This plough had been used 

 considerably and there w'as no difficulty in making it run to the 

 required depth. It did quite fair Avork, for which the Com- 

 iuittec felt justified in giving the second jjremium of $10. 



Mr. A. H. Gould, of Topsfield, used an old side-hill plough, 

 "with a much worn point, made by Lufkins, of Concord, N. 

 H., size No. 2. It appeared to have given long and good 

 service ; coming much nearer the ideal swivel plough than either 

 of the others on the field. Its work w^as unusually well done, 

 and the Committee unanimously awarded him tlie first premi- 

 um of $12. 



In this report on the qualities of the several ploughs and the 

 work done by them, it might seem that the older and more 

 worn the plough is, the better the work done. Although ap- 

 l^arently true in this trial, it doesn't necessarily follow that 

 much use improves a plough. But sufficient use to get it thor- 

 oughly smooth, and perfectly gauged and adjusted, is neces- 

 sary in order that it shall do its best work. 



In discussing the' several ploughs, your Committee would 

 not lose sight of the skill of the jjloughmen ; for an unskillful 

 jjloughman can't do good work with a perfect plough, nor can 

 the most expert plough man do his best work with any exce|)t 

 the best plough. 



As it is the object of this Society, in oflTering premiums at 

 its annual ploughing match, to afford the fjirmers of Essex the 

 opportunity of carefully observing and comparing the merits 

 of the several patterns of ploughs, that they may be able to 

 purchase understandingly, it was gratifying to your Commit- 

 tee to notice how earnestly the farmers improved their school 

 day of the year, the Exhibition of the Essex AgricultiH'al 

 •Society. All of which is very respectfully submitted. 



Committee — Benjamin P. Ware, Cyrus K. Ordway, J. F. 

 Knovvlton, Paul D. Patch. 



