ESSEX SOCIETY. 101 



plough. But in the practical operation of it I was disappointed. 

 It appeared to work as easy for the team as the common 

 plough, and easier for the holder ; in fact, it almost held itself, 

 one part balancing the other. I saw it move many rods ac- 

 curately, without any guidance. I could not at first see how it 

 was possible for it to move so easily as the common plough. 

 But I think I now understand how the extra power required 

 to draw the small plough, is counterbalanced, by the ease with 

 which the furrow slice is inverted, after it is split in two parts. 

 We know that two boards will bend much easier, and support 

 less weight than a plank of the same thickness from the same 

 log. May not the same principle be applied to turning the fur- 

 row slice? I think that any one who witnesses the operation 

 of this plough, will notice that it rolls the furrow slice over 

 much easier, than does the common plough. If upon trial, it 

 shall be found to work as well as when I saw it upon your 

 brother's field, I think it will prove a useful invention." 



I have ventured to give the opinion of Mr. Putnam, rather 

 than my own, because where he is known, his judgment will 

 be valued as high as that of any other practical man in this 

 vicinity. My brother assures me that he fully concurs in this 

 opinion — although at first, his impressions were not favorable to 

 the plough. 



I am well aware that we are in danger of being captivated 

 by ne.iv things. Such was the case, to some extent, with 

 " Bartlett's Double Plough," which, meteor-like, flashed upon 

 us, and vanished away. Nevertheless, great improvements 

 have been made within the last thirty years^ in the structure 

 of the plough ; and if I do not mistake entirely, this will be 

 found among the most valuable of the improvements that have 

 been made. I do not suppose this plough will be adapted to 

 every kind of work Its peculiar use is for the breaking up of 

 cultivated grass land ; land from which the fast rocks have been 

 removed, as they should be from all cultivated fields. The 

 farmer, who, year after year, worries himself and his team, by 

 ploughing over fast rocks in his field, thereby makes a mistake. 

 It would be much better to remove them at first, whatever may 



