54 ON AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENTS. 



its construction, and can be made by any farmer, at a trifling ex- 

 pense. It consists of a headstall with a crupper attached, and a 

 band passing round the body behind the fore-legs, which band is con- 

 nected on each side of the neck with the headstall, by a strap. This 

 harness is in every respect preferable to the old fashioned head-gear 

 of sharp nails, or to tying the self-depredator head and foot. The 

 Committee recommend a premium of three dollars. 



It is not to be supposed, from the small number of articles exhibited 

 on this occasion, that a more extensive show in this department could 

 not have been made. The materials are ample, and a moderate ef- 

 fort on the part of those most interested, can, at any time, render this 

 exhibition worthy of New England genius and skill. Nor is it to be 

 thought that agriculture is unfavorable to invention and improvement. 

 On the contrary, few pursuits afford a wider range for their exercise, 

 as any one will perceive, who examines the extensive collections of 

 our Metropolitan warehouses. We there, as well as in the tool houses 

 of our best farmers, see the fruits of Agricultural Associations. Un- 

 der the stimulus they have afforded, the most important implement of 

 a farm — the plough — has been brought to a perfection not exceeded 

 by the longer experience of any other country. Even the far-famed 

 " Victoria" plough, imported from England as the crowning specimen 

 of British skill, has, upon fair trial, been fairly eclipsed by the supe- 

 rior execution of ploughs of Massachusetts manufacture: proving, 

 that in "draught" as in diplomacy, the Yankees are a match for the 

 nation who, it has been said, "goes abroad to be savage." 



In promoting this work of improvement, the Essex Agricultural 

 Society has successfully shared, and the neat and beautifully formed 

 implements now every where seen in New England, contrast striking- 

 ly with the uncouth tools of a past generation, or that are still used 

 in the southern section of our country. It is true, all inventions are 

 not improvements, and he would be an unwise farmer who purchased, 

 before trial, every implement claiming to be such. The discrimina- 

 tion of a sound judgment is here to be exercised, and the size of the 

 farm, and the character of crops cultivated, should determine the 

 kind and quantity of tools to be procured. There are some, how- 

 ever, which can be recommended, as of unmistakable excellence. 

 Among these are the scruffle hoe, for the cultivation of root crops, 

 the cultivator, the roller (which any farmer can make) and the 

 horse-rake. These implements have aJl been proved, and farmers 



