AGRICULTURE OF MASSACHUSETTS. 



EXPERIENCE OF A PKACTICAL FAEMER. 



From an Address before the Essex Agricultural Society. 



BY BENJAMIN P. WAKE. 



Within my remembrance, it was a laborious task for a man 

 to conduct the business of the farm successfully. He was ex- 

 pected to turn the double swath in the mowing-field, to lead the 

 hired men as they were desired to follow, to pitch on the hay, 

 to hoe the hardest row ; in short, to bear the brunt of the work. 

 Great physical strength and endurance, as well as good judg- 

 ment, were indispensable. But now what a change ! To lead 

 the labor of the farm does not require great strength and power 

 of muscle, but brains are called into requisition, and skill in 

 the management of machinery. 



The farmer, while riding around his field on the mowing-ma- 

 chine, hay-tedder or horse-rake, may overlook and direct those 

 less skilled than himself, and at the same time accomplish the 

 labor of ten men, with no more exertion than is pleasant for 

 exercise. With Raymond's hay-elevator he may stow away his 

 hay in his barn with comparatively little labor and a great sav- 

 ing of time ; but the farmer impatiently awaits the time when 

 he may for his money obtain an improved hay-loading machine, 

 so vainly sought by many of us. 



The potato crop can now be grown entirely without hand la- 

 bor. True's potato-planter cuts the potato, drops, furrows and 

 covers, at one operation. With Holbrook & Chandler's horse- 

 hoes, the labor of hoeing is wholly performed by horse-power. 

 1* 



