38 [Senate 



outward beams are furnished with ploughshares, each designed to 

 turn the soil out, but leaving a space of earth undisturbed of about 

 twenty-two inches in width, which is completely turned over by a 

 double ploughshare, affixed to the centre plough beam behind those 

 in the diverging beams. The effect of these ploughshares scarcely 

 needs description; suffice to say, that by cross-ploughing, the corn, 

 etc., is effectually hilled, and the weeds eradicated. This implement 

 admits of being set to any required width; is a valuable acquisition 

 to the farmer who thinks the hilling mode of cultivation desirable; 

 and the inventor is, in our opinion, entitled to the honors of the 

 American Institute. 



Secondly — A three, share Plough, belonging also to Mr. Thorp, 

 which is furnished with beams very similar to the corn-hiller just 

 described; these beams are each furnished with a ploughshare, re- 

 ceding from each other sufficiently to allow each share to turn the 

 soil in the same direction without the least interference with one 

 another. The application of successive shares for ploughing particu- 

 lar soils is of great importance, particularly for those which are light, 

 where deep ploughing is not required, and also for ploughing-in, 

 instead of harrowing-in grain. Although the invention of this plough 

 appears to be original with Mr. Thorp, he has been anticipated in 

 the discovery, as your committee learn, by Mr. Wiard, w^ho is also a 

 competitor for the honors of the Institute for the same implement, 

 as will be presently shown. Under these circumstances, your com- 

 mittee are unanimously of opinion, that Mr. Thorp is entitled to a 

 diploma as a reward for his labors in improving the plough. 



Thirdly — A foxir share Plough^ exhibited for competition by Mr. 

 Thomas Wiard, of Avon, Livingston Co., in this State. This plough 

 is formed by four beams, held together by slats in the form of the 

 diamond harrow; they are framed parallel to and at equal distances 

 from each other; each beam is furnished with a share, which recede 

 from each other in the manner above described. To this plough a 

 pole is attached, to which the horses are harnessed, and by means of 

 which the direct traction of the beams is maintained. This, and the 

 former described implements, have handles resembling those of a 

 plough, attached to them. The shares are bright, and though the 

 soil was clayey and ridged, two horses drew it with apparent ease, 

 cutting furrows, altogether, about three and a half feet in width and 

 above six inches deep. This plough is of beautiful structure, admits 

 of having its shares increased according to the strength of the team 

 employed, and also of having the shares set so as to increase or di- 

 minish the width of the furrows; is, in soils favorable for its use, a 

 most valuable agricultural implement, and is really W'orthy of the 

 highest honors of the American Institute. 



Fourthly — a Potatoe Digger, exhibited for a premium by Mr. A. 

 C. Ketchum of Schenectady, N. Y. This machine consists of two 

 parallel sides furnished with handles resembling those of a plough ; 

 they are about fifteen inches in width and two feet apart. In front 

 is an iron plate which is intended to penetrate the earth to a depth 

 just below the potatoes required to be dug ; behind this plate, near 



