144 FARM TOOLS. 



point or two within the last twenty years. Let us 

 fix one or two landmarks, and then determine whether 

 any wind of doctrine has drove us ahead, put us back, 

 or left us stationary. 



About twenty years back, while farming on the 

 banks of the rich-soiled Keimebec, Ave heard that an 

 iron plough had been constructed in the neighborhood 

 of Boston, which would rim with so little friction that 

 one yoke of oxen could easily draw it in greensward 

 land. We thought this impossible, for we had general- 

 ly been obliged to use three yoke of cattle for this 

 service instead of one. Now we often see one yoke 

 performing this labor, and at less than half the former 

 expense. 



We think this is pretty well for the improvement in 

 one article, the most important instrument in the hands 

 of the farmer. 



The manure-fork, the hay-fork, and the shovel, are 

 much improved within a few years. We can well 

 remember when but few iron shovels were used. 

 Wooden shovels with iron plates, or iron shod, were 

 the tools for the farmer to remove his gravel, his loam, 

 or his manure. 



His manure-forks were made of such poor iron that 

 it was necessary to use large bars for the tines : these 

 could never be made to penetrate the heaps or the soil 

 with ease ; and we think we can with safety assert 

 that, with a modern iron shovel, and a modern manure- 

 fork, one third part of the former labor of forking and 

 of shoveling is saved. 



Shall we stop at this point, and conclude that no 

 farther improvements are to be made in tools? or shall 

 we rather take courage from what we have seen, and 

 attempt a little farther improvement? Let us enter 

 into no wild speculations — we cannot afford it — but let 

 us not for a moment suppose we can make no farther 

 advances. We cannot stop; the spirit of improvement 

 is up, aud we must partake of it, if all other kinds are 

 forbidden. 



