448 MASS. BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



years last past,) of the entries made and animals presented, at 

 their shows. This statement, which is appended as part of 

 this report, will sufficiently explain all inquiries on these points, 

 and be a model, worthy to be imitated by other secretaries. A 

 uniform system of reports, from the several secretaries, would 

 greatly facilitate a knowledge of the comparative condition of 

 the societies, and afford the means of preparing a condensed 

 view of the exhibition of animals and products throughout 

 the Commonwealth. 



The ploughing match was the first object that demanded 

 attention. Here were sixteen teams in the field, all single 

 teams of one pair of cattle, without a driver. On inquiry of 

 the chairman of the committee, whose experience is equal to 

 that of any other man among us, I found it to be the deliber- 

 ate opinion of the trustees of the Worcester Society, that one 

 pair of cattle, without a driver, was a sufficient team for ordi- 

 nary ploughing, and that it was not necessary or expedient 

 to use more. If this be so it should be known A large part 

 of the farmers, so far as my observation extends, do not adopt 

 this rule of action, in the ploughing of their own lands. 



Dry and hard as was the earth in this field, it was apparent 

 that the labor of ploughing was quite too severe for the team 

 employed. By many of the teams the work was done with 

 extraordinary ability, considering the disadvantages under 

 which they labored. My opinion has ever been, that the oper- 

 ation in the ploughing match should be, as far as possible, an 

 illustration of the best manner of operating on the farm, and 

 that the work should go on in such manner, as it might be 

 continued for three hours at least, without special incon- 

 venience to the team employed. Because of the over-exertion 

 on the part of the cattle in this contest, I except to the per- 

 formance, and not because the work was not done with signal 

 ability. 



Among the ploughmen on the field, was a lad of fifteen 

 years only, by the name of Stockwell, from Sutton, who de- 

 servedly took a high premium. When boys can thus contend 

 with men, it is time for men to stand aside. What better di- 

 ploma can the farmer's son take with him, than a certificate 



