30 ESSEX SOCIETY. 



William F. Porter, of Bradford, J. L. Hubbard, of Byfield, and 

 one other competitor, whose name is not recollected by the 

 committee. 



For the committee, 



JosiAH Newhall. 



Ploughing with Horse Teams. 



The special committee of seven, appointed to award the 

 premiums offered by Charles A. Stetson, Esq., of New York, 

 for the encouragement of the use of horse teams, in ploughing, 

 report : 



That there were thirteen competitors for these premiums ; 

 all of which were promptly on the ground, ready to move at 

 the time appointed. The ground was a gi-avelly soil, with a 

 fair sod, and occasional fast rocks, that required careful watch- 

 ing of the plough. One sixth of an acre, of like form, was 

 assigned to each competitor, numbered from one to thirteen. 

 Some of the lands were harder and more rocky than others. 

 The directions were, to cut the furrows not less than seven 

 inches deep, and of a width to be most conveniently turned 

 fiat. All started at the same time, and completed their work 

 in from forty to fifty minutes ; all having done it within rea- 

 sonable time, so that the time of performance was not regarded 

 in the award of premiums. 



One of the teams was accompanied by a driver, and one of 

 them did not plough so deep as required ; these circumstances 

 operated against their performances. Most of the teams were 

 well disciplined, and, with the ploughmen, well prepared for 

 the work. The struggle was fairly contested, and the work 

 as thoroughly done, as the committee have ever witnessed. 

 Among so many who did well, it was no easy task, to say 

 which did best. Most of the committee were experienced 

 in the management of teams of horses, and were practical 

 ploughmen. Drivers were not forbidden to be used, still the 

 committee thought, with teams properly trained, there was no 

 necessity for their use. They noticed some of the horses were 

 so thoroughly trained, that they would halt instantly at the 



