MASS. BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 529 



England, has been turned very much to improvements in farm 

 implements. Since our great political revolution which made 

 us a nation, changes almost as great have been wrought out in 

 the field of agriculture. Principles in vegetation then unheard 

 of, or just beginning to be known by a few searching minds, 

 have been more fully established and published to the world. 



No subject can be presented to the notice of the agricultural 

 societies and of this board, more worthy their attention, than 

 the construction of farm implements, and improvements therein. 

 Even the form and weight of so small an instrument as the 

 hoe, might be a profitable subject of earnest and mature dis- 

 cussion, and a series of experiments like those of the ploughing 

 matches, which have brought about so much improvement in 

 the plough. The adaptation of the various tools and machinery 

 used in the field to fulfil their design most thoroughly, by their 

 capacity of doing the most work and in the best manner, with 

 the least fatigue to the operator, can hardly be the subject of 

 too much examination. All such examinations, though attract- 

 ing but little public attention, may work out most substantial 

 benefits. 



The whole subject of farm implements, in all its bearings 

 upon the labors of the field and the effect of those labors on 

 the condition and improvement of the art, and on the value 

 and beauty of the hills and valleys of the State, as well as 

 upon the prosperity and happiness of the farmers, cannot be 

 overrated. 



The soil of Massachusetts is for the most part rather forbid- 

 ding, while the advantages for commerce and other pursuits, 

 have held out to our citizens inducements to engage in such 

 employments, as would, (in their imagination) better repay 

 time and industry, and give a larger profit to capital invested. 

 Those who have staid by the sod, have done well. They have 

 always, when industrious and skilful, gained a competent sup- 

 port, and some have saved small fortunes. But the cultivation 

 of the soil here, undoubtedly requires more toil, skill and ex- 

 pense, than in some other states. We have, however, the com- 

 forting assurance of writers on political economy, that a hard 

 soil is favorable to the best development of the intellect, and 

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