36* 



[Senat e 



and better adapted to unite the plough -with the conneclirg chain 

 and giving the average results with more distinctness. The same 

 team of oxen, together with the same driver, which gained the first 

 premium, were employed to test the several ploughs, for the purpose 

 of giving uniformity to the draught in the several experiments ; and 

 the tenacity of the ground of each furrow was as nearly similar as 

 possible. With these preparations the work commenced ; and the 

 intense concern shown, not only by those interested, but by many 

 spectators, demonstrated the deep interest taken in the improvement 

 of this, the most important of agricultural implements. Ten ploughs 

 were entered and tested with the following results : 



No. 



1 

 2 

 3 

 4 

 5 

 6 

 7 

 8 

 9 

 10 



Names of Ploughs. 



Bergen'fi, 



Eastman's, or Baltimore,. 

 Meeker's, or Bergen, . . . . 



Bergen, 



Scotch plough, of iron, . . 



Empire, 



Wisconsin, 



Bergen's self-sharpening, 



Wisconsin, 



Morris, 



Depth of 

 Furrow. 



Inches. 



6 

 6 

 6 

 6 

 6 

 6 

 6 

 6 

 6 

 6 



Width of 

 Furrow 



Inches. 



12 

 12 

 12 

 12 

 12 

 12 

 12 

 12 

 12 

 12 



Power ap- 

 plieil. 



Pounds. 



350 

 450 

 400 

 350 

 500 

 450 

 450 

 350 

 425 

 600 



The above table shows that the Bergen ploughs, of which three 

 were tested, performed the same work with less resistance, or an 

 easier draught, than any of the others, showing a decided superiority 

 in ti.is respect over all the others. But your committee do not deem the 

 lightness of draught, though a most important desideratum, the sole 

 requisite in deciding which is the best plough for agricultural pur- 

 poses and other require i ents, such as the character of its work, 

 strength, durability and facility for repairs; these also are essential 

 ingredients for the practical farmer. In applying these several tests 

 to the above ploughs, the committee find that in the present instance, 

 and perhaps the idea will hold good in most cases, that the easiest 

 draught ploughs combine the greatest number of the other requisites, 

 more pains and care being generally bestowed in tleir construction, 

 and tnore science and skill brought to bear in the adaptation of the 

 several parts. The first premium was awarded to Cornelius Bergen, 

 of Brooklyn, L. I., for the best plough, called the " Self-sharpen- 

 ing Plough," entered as No. 8. The second premium to E. G. 

 Whiting, of Trenton, N. J., for the second best, called the " Wis- 

 consin Plough," and entered as No. 9. And that Eastman's, or the 

 *' Baltimore Plough," entered as No. 2, is the third best ; but as no 

 premium has been offered for the third best, your committee recom- 

 mend that it should receive a diploma. By a comparison of the 

 above results with those made at Andover, Mass., in October last, 



