162 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



maintain that position in the community that his industry 

 and integrity should merit. 



The improvements of agriculture, the success of agriculture, 

 and above all the dignity of agriculture, must depend upon the 

 education and the intelligence of those who pursue it. The 

 success of the farmer of the present day does not depend mainly 

 upon the amount of hard work he performs, but whether his 

 returns are brought in with the least necessary expense ; whether 

 he secures the aid of such machinery and power as will enable 

 him to accomplish the most with the least outlay. By the aid 

 of the agricultural machinery of the present day, the farmer's 

 life need not be one of constant toil. He can plant and hoe 

 with machinery ; he can mow, spread, rake and pitch with 

 machinery. And it is for the purpose of showing to the 

 farmer that it is for his interest to let the horses mow and 

 rake that we are gathered here this day, and also to test which 

 of the several kinds of mowing machines and horse-rakes are 

 the best for use ; and in making a selection, simplicity and 

 durability, as well as ability to do, should be considered. 



We should advise every farmer in Berkshire County to do 

 what he can to make his meadows fit for the mowing machine 

 and horse-rake ; remembering that there will be horses when he 

 is dead, and that horse labor is cheaper than hiring and board- 

 ing men ; that by being able to do more in a given length of 

 time he may secure his hay at the best season and in the best 

 condition. And we will advise him that one ton of June cut 

 hay is worth two tons of August cut ; that large rocks may 

 many times be disposed of in the cheapest way by sinking 

 below the surface ; and we further suggest that if this day's 

 exhibition has not decided which is the best mowing machine, 

 it has decided that to use either of the eight kinds exliibited 

 is far better than to do the work by hand. 



Most of the mowing machines were exhibited under the direct 

 care of the manufacturers, who manifested a deep interest in 

 their success ; and, with the little time and opportunity your 

 Committee had to test the various machines, we do not feel 

 that our decisions should be made the test to govern others 

 in their selections. 



But of this we are sure, that no man who makes hay for 

 profit can afford to do without a mowing machine and horse- 



