MASS. BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 493 



$20,000 have been awarded in this Commonwealth alone, 

 within the last thirty years, for experiments in ploughing. 

 Certain are we that from fifty to eighty dollars, annually, have 

 been paid by the Essex Society ; and if our recollection is 

 right, something like this sum has been paid by each of the 

 other societies. 



This being so, it is fair to inquire, what benefits have ac- 

 crued from these appropriations ? It is true, that very great 

 improvements have been made in the structure of the plough. 

 The most indifferent farmer would be ashamed to be found 

 using ploughs, such as were used by his fathers, in the last 

 century. This improvement has resulted, in a good measure, 

 from the competition and diffusion of information consequent 

 upon ploughing matches. The natural result was, to intro- 

 duce to approbation those ploughs that did the work in the 

 best manner. 



It is impossible, in the brief remarks in our power to submit, 

 to notice all those points that demand consideration. We can 

 only mention a few of the most prominent. 



1. As to the team proper to be used. In the eastern part of 

 the Commonwealth, as far as our observation has extended, 

 oxen are preferred to horses. Though we have seen very fine 

 ploughing performed by a well trained pair of horses, when 

 the farmer is content with a depth of about six inches, the 

 work can be expeditiously done with such a team, perhaps 

 more so than with any other. But when he would have the 

 earth stirred ten or twelve inches deep, either by the use of a 

 subsoil plough or otherwise, more team will be required, at 

 least two pair of cattle. We have seen land quite well 

 ploughed by the use of one pair of cattle and a horse. Such 

 a team, trained to operate without a driver, we consider the 

 most economical in the power of the farmer to use. Few 

 farmers can get along without a horse, and, as a general re- 

 mark, no one in New England, who makes farming his busi- 

 ness, should presume to carry on the farm without owning a 

 pair of oxen. Unite their power, and his field will be ploughed 

 to best advantage. 



2. The practice has been increasing of late years, of turning 



