22 ON PLOUGHINQ. 



All the teams were required to plough at least 7 mches deep. 

 The average width of the furrows was a little more than twelve 

 inches, and the average time of performance about one hour. This 

 was a longer time than has usually been taken ; in consequence of 

 the work being much harder. All the teams performed well — some 

 of them very well indeed. All the ploughs used, we beheve, were 

 made by Ruggles & Co., of Worcester. Nearly all of them were 

 in good condition. Several of them were marked Eagle No. 25. 

 These were spoken of as the best finished, and combining the latest 

 improvements. Attached to several of these ploughs, we noticed a 

 draft rod regulated by a dial-clevis at the end of the beam ; by the 

 aid of which, it is said, the ploughman can readily adapt the plough 

 to any required tvidth or depth of furrow. And by the combined 

 operation of these, can so run his plough along aside of a fence as 

 to turn the sod close by it; or can turn up meadow or soft land, with 

 both cattle treading on the unbroken surface. These are decidedly 

 useful operations. We have no fancy for the strip, two or three feet 

 wide, as we have sometimes seen, left under the wall for the growth 

 of briars and bushes. And if the plough can be made to turn it, it 

 will save much labor with the breaking up hoe. The mould-board of 

 plough No. 25 is somewhat varied from that of Eagle No. 3 and 4, 

 (which we have considered a near approximation to the perfection of 

 plough-making) so that "it takes a wider and deeper furrow without 

 increasing the draft." The dial clevis, as we learn from those who 

 have used it, is thought to be a valuable appendage to the plough. 

 We have been more particular in noticing these alterations, as we 

 have ever considered the hrinying into use ploughs of improved con- 

 struction, and thereby introducing them to the public, one of ike 

 principal benefits accruing from these ploughing matches. 



We have sometimes queried, whether all our ploughing could not 

 be more advantageously done with one yoke of oxen. But in the 

 condition in which this land was, we are satisfied that it required at 

 least the power of two pair of cattle. It is not useful at a Ploughing 

 Match to attempt a display of work, such as a good farmer would not 

 approve on his own farm. What we want is, that kind of work which 

 would be most valuable, when applied upon the same kind of land, in 

 the ordinary process of cultivation. 



The inquiry has sometimes been made, upon what principles are the 

 premiums awarded ? It ia not easy to specify any definite rules, 



