* WORCESTER SOCIETY. 129 



The earth would be either sterile or continue to bring forth, as 

 under the primeval curse, only briars and thistles, but for that 

 process of amelioration, which results from stirring its surAice, 

 separating its particles, infusing into its bosom the influences of 

 light and heat, and air and water, and so mingling the elements 

 of productiveness, as profitably to employ the hand and give 

 reward to the toils of labor. The history of the plough, from 

 the earliest times, in its construction, its application, and its im- 

 provement, to the present day, marks, with unerring progress, 

 the advance of civilization, domestic comfort, and social cnjoy- 

 meut. With a savage and barbarous people it is never found, 

 and with men driven for subsistence from the chase to the cul- 

 tivation of the earth, it is first seen in the rude shape of a point- 

 ed stake, or a hook, or the knotted or crotched limb of a tree, 

 drawn at the one end and held and guided by the other. It is 

 not necessary to go to distant countries, or other times, for facts 

 or illustrations, whereby to trace the improvements which have 

 been made in this most important implement of labor, to its 

 present beautiful and seemingly perfect model of construction. 

 Here^ at horne^ and within our own famed, if not boasting 

 county, the memory and personal observation of many here 

 among us, will suggest the comparison. Tiie county of Wor- 

 cester has long been noted for its skill in plough making. With- 

 in the period of the present generation, John Wesson, of Graf- 

 ton Gore, had a reputation little less marked, within the limited 

 extent of his capacity of supply, than is now enjoyed, far more 

 deservedly and widely indeed, by our own Ruggles & Mason. 

 Yet how immeasurably diff'erent in power and completeness the 

 implements of their respective production ! Wesson's plough 

 was of wood, with an iron coulter and share only. The mould 

 board, if secured at all from accident and sudden force, or rapid 

 destruction by wear, was left to be protected, in the judgment 

 or convenience of the purchaser, by a plating of rusty iron 

 hoops, or worn and inverted horse shoes, or such like appli- 

 ances, quite as effectual, in their use, to the resistance of the 

 power of draft as to the endurance of the instrument. The 

 cutler, to divide with an easy force the sward ; — the clevis, to 

 guide and guage the width of the furrow,— and the wheel, to 

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