ON PLOUGHING. 45 



ing. The work was done by the several teams, in time varying from 

 thirty-six to forty-one minutes ; and with an average of twenty-two 

 furrows, being a width of fourteen inches for the furrow slice. 



As to the award of the first and fourth premiums, the committee 

 bad no question. As to the second and third, they were divided in 

 opinion. Their final award was as follows, viz : 



To Hobart Ciark, of Andover, first premium, - - $8 

 To Benj. P. Ware, of Marblehead, second premium, - 6 

 To Elijah Pope, of Danvers, third premium, - - 4 



To Henry Poor, of Andover, fourth premium, - - 2 

 The land was similar to that ploughed by the double teams ; only 

 the furrows were not cut so deep, by about two inches. The work 

 of the double teams was completed in thirty minutes, being three- 

 fourths of the time occupied by the single teams. A fair question 

 arises, which of these kinds of ploughing is most worthy of being used 

 on the farm ? The fact that there has been, almost every year, 

 twice as many double as single teams on the field, seems to indicate 

 that the proprietors themselves have an inclination for the use of 

 double teams. The committee are not unmindful, that it is contend- 

 ed by some, that one pair of cattle is sufficient to do ordinary plough- 

 ing ; and that six inches depth is as good as more. They have here- 

 tofore been inclined to this opinion ; and have attempted cultivation 

 in this manner. But they are satisfied from their own observation, 

 that it is best to employ at least two pair of cattle in turning grass 

 land, and in the first ploughing of ground that has been cultivated ; 

 and that the furrows should be cut from eight to tivelve incites deep, 

 where the soil will admit of it. 



The advantages accruing from deep ploughing will more than 

 counterbalance the additional expense. One of these is, where the 

 land is sidling, it will not wash near as much. The earth having 

 been stirred deep, the rain will settle down, and not run off, as in 

 shallow ploughing. Deep ploughing increases the quantity of soil 

 to be used by the growing crop ; especially if the land is properly 

 manured — and there is no use in attempting cultivation without lib- 

 eral manuring, The maxim, "Once well done, better than twice 

 poorly" — applies with peculiar force to the cultivation of our fields. 

 The committee have ventured these suggestions, because they 

 have witnessed a difierent opinion gaining ground, in some of our 

 , most intelligent agricultural districts ; and because on their own 



