ESSEX SOCIETY. 31 



voice of the ploughmen ; so when the plough struck a rock, 

 or wavered from the furrow, it could be instantly reinstated in 

 its proper place. With powerful horses thus trained, and well 

 skilled ploughmen, the best of work can be done in the shortest 

 time. 



The " straight line side-hill plough," No. 83, made by Rug- 

 gles & Co., used by Moses Pettingill, of Topsfield, and held 

 by his son, David Pettingill, all things considered, completed 

 the work in the most satisfactory manner, and richly merited 

 the first premium, of ^25. 



The work done by Ruggles & Co.'s plough. No. 73|, entered 

 by John Washburn, of Swampscot, merited the second premi- 

 um, of |15. 



The work done by Doe's plough, of Concord, with Mr. 

 Slocum's team, found much favor with the committee. Two 

 other teams, that used No. 73, of Ruggles & Co., did their 

 work in a manner worthy of commendation. Had the com- 

 mittee been so authorized, they would have cheerfully awarded 

 the competitors twice as much, for they never saw premiums 

 better earned. 



The committee regret that any combination of circumstances 

 should have prevented the generous donor from being present, 

 to witness the result of the experiments that he had elicited. 

 This is the second time the society have been under special 

 obligation to Mr. Stetson, for his generosity in advancing the 

 interest of their show. It only remains for a few more men 

 of public spirit, like Mr. Fay and Mr. Stetson, to come forward 

 with just discrimination, and liberal hand, and our farmers 

 would show that they can do work that shall be worthy of 

 all admiration. 



For the committee, 



J. W. Proctor, Chairman. 



Dairy. 



The committee on the dairy, report that four specimens of 

 June, and nine of September butter, were submitted to their 

 examination, which came within the society's rules for pre- 

 mium. No specimens of June butter, in the estimation of 

 the committee, merited the highest premium ; the second, of 



