WORCESTER SOCIETY. 131 



England farm may be well executed. But what occasion does 

 not this give for attention and skill, on the part of the 

 ploughman ! There are his cattle to mind and manage, his 

 plough to direct, and his work constantly to notice that it be 

 true and thorough. The competition in our ploughing matches 

 is therefore no mere holiday sport or pastime. It becomes, in- 

 deed, the test of experience and good effort, and exhibits, as 

 intended it should do, the judgment and expertness of the 

 man, both in the management of the plough and the discipline 

 and effectiveness of his team. 



In the exhibitions of this occasion, the committee on the 

 ploughing match find much reason for congratulations to the 

 society. The number of entries certified to them by the secre- 

 tary, was unusually large, amounting to eighteen. Sixteen 

 teams started in the contest, and the committee carefully exam- 

 ined and noted the progress of the work in each lot, and the 

 tifne and manner of its performance. The soil of the field was 

 a light loam upon a subsoil of clay, and the sward, for many 

 years unmoved, was rendered unusually tough and firm by the 

 late severe and long continued drought. The power and pa- 

 tient endurance of the cattle were thus severely tested, and the 

 labor of the ploughman, in laying his furrow^ greatly increased. 

 In other respects, the land was well adapted to the purpose, 

 having a smooth and level surface, and being especially free 

 from stone. 



In the judgment of members of the committee, who had been 

 familiar with such scenes, and could compare similar competi- 

 tions, here and in other counties, the work, in all which con- 

 stitutes its perfection, was never better executed. The ploughs 

 which were used, are noted against the names of each of the suc- 

 cessful competitors, and the best effect of the exhibition will be 

 seen in the influence it cannot fail to produce upon the thousands 

 of gratified spectators who witnessed the quiet and effective per- 

 formance of the labor. There was neither hurrying, nor noise, 

 nor whipping or goading of cattle to undue speed, — but man 

 and animal went steadily forward as to their accustomed task. 

 The lots contained one tenth of an acre each. The length of 

 the furrow was sixteen rods, and the required depth not less in 



