Implements of Husbandry. 129 



ed during the season, ought not only to be carefully laid 

 up ; but before it is put aside, it should be well cleaned, ren- 

 dered perfectly dry, oiled, or, if made of iron, painted, and 

 kept so as to be ready for use when wanted. No circum- 

 stance marks more the character of an attentive husband- 

 man, than great attention to his farming implements. Upon 

 every farm, also, there ought to be one or more places, pro- 

 perly constructed, for holding the larger implements ; and 

 some secure place allotted, for containing the smaller tools. 

 Where machines are necessarily exposed in the field, a great 

 part of the season, they require to be new painted, at least 

 every second year. This defends them, not only from 

 drought, but also from rain and rust( Z23 ). 



3. The introduction of new implements into a district, is 

 often a matter of great difficulty, partly owing to the igno- 

 rance, the prejudices, and the obstinacy of farm servants and 

 labourers, and partly to the prejudice against new inven- 

 tions, from the number which are continually failing. Many 

 farmers, therefore, very absurdly retain their old implements, 

 though convinced of their inferiority, rather than sour the 

 temper of the labourers, by attempting to introduce new 

 ones. In several cases, however, by attention, perseverance, 

 and by rewarding those servants who have been induced to 

 give the new machines a fair trial, they have succeeded in 

 the attempt. 



4. The importance of proper implements is such, that the 

 melioration of those in use, would be an essential advantage 

 to agriculture ; and great as are the mechanical improve- 

 ments which have been already made, many of them are 

 capable of being brought to still greater perfection. Persons 

 of genius and experience, therefore, ought to be encouraged 

 to devote their time and attention to this important object; 

 and to exert themselves, either in improving the various 

 sorts of implements now in use, on scientific principles, or 

 in inventing superior ones, as circumstances may require. 

 The discovery of an useful implement, by which the labours 

 of agriculture can be abridged, or brought to a still higher 

 degree of perfection, and the expense of cultivation, at the 

 same time, diminished, cannot be too much encouraged, as 

 likely to prove of essential service, both to the farmer, and 

 to the public. It is calculated indeed, that an immense ad- 

 vantage would accrue, from even the general adoption of the 

 improved implements now in use in particular districts. 

 Mr Curwen was of opinion, that the farmers in the southern 

 counties of England, lose at the rate of L.25 per cent, by the 



