694 MASS. BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



Plough. The more we see of its operations the better we like 

 it. For the complete pulverization of the soil it is the "one 

 thing needful." It has within itself principles that will endure. 

 It is not a mushroom production. 



The form of awarding premiums is a marked peculiarity of 

 this society, worthy of special notice. It has been practised 

 from the beginning. Instead of giving money, a piece of plate 

 of the same value is given. These are delivered by the officers 

 in the presence of the assembly to the successful competitor. 

 The scene is exciting ; the interest awakened is intense, both 

 in the recipient and in the surrounding multitude. If the arti- 

 cles were marked with the name of the society, the recipient, 

 and the time and cause of delivery, it would give additional 

 inducements for their preservation. We were favorably im- 

 pressed with this mode of award, and believe it worthy of 

 imitation by other societies. 



What more interesting sight could be presented on the 

 homestead of the farmer than a closet well stocked with these 

 honorable trophies ? The coarse bunting taken from an enemy 

 by brute force, often in a contest of doubtful character for 

 honor and propriety, is cherished with a sacred care, from 

 generation to generation ; but of how much greater value is 

 the trophy earned by generous rivalry in the cultivation of the 

 arts of peace ? Where is the man who would not be proud 

 to transmit an heir-loom of this description to his descendants? 

 We can truly say, that if we had a piece of plate, awarded to our 

 father forty years ago, as the best ploughman among twenty 

 competitors, we should esteem it of more value than any colo- 

 nel's commission ever issued by any governor of the Com- 

 monwealth, even though it might have the Massachusetts 

 Indian, with his bow and arrow, stamped thereon. 



The gratification anticipated from the Address expected of 

 Dr. Lee, of Washington, on this occasion, was not realized. 

 By some accident, there was a misapprehension between the 

 Doctor and the officers of the society. Hence a lesson, never 

 go far from home for that which can be quite as well obtained 

 near by. We have looked upon the annual address before our 

 county societies as a legitimate production of the county; and 

 in our connection with the administration of the affairs of the 

 Essex County Society, for thirty years or more, have adhered 



