History of the Plow. 81 



mode usually adopted. But having satisfied myself by experi- 

 ments that it requires an increase of twenty-two per cent power 

 of draught more to urge the plow along, with such a coulter, than 

 with a sword coulter i^roperly fitted to it, my attention was 

 directed principally to the latter. 



"This I apply in a manner different from any heretofore used. 

 Instead of putting it through a mortise in the beam, I apply my 

 coulter to the side of the beam. (See y, Figs. 4 and 5.) My mode 

 of doing it is as follows: Holes are made through the coulter- 

 shank, and a strong screw bolt passed through the beam and 

 coulter ; a strong strap of iron is fitted on the screw-bolt outside 

 of the coulter, with a hook which is turned back of the coulter 

 and tapped on the front of the throat of the plow. Thus fitted, 

 if the coulter rests solidly against the standard and fair with the 

 beam, when drawn tight to it with the screw, it cuts to great 

 advantage. To operate more beneficially, the edge of the coulter 

 should stand about five inches in front of the throat and about 

 one inch to land. 



"■Lastly — The mode of using the plow: The ordinary mode of 

 using the plow when draAvn by horses or mules is to attach the 

 team to the plow by means of double and single-trees, coupled 

 with what is commonly called clips and open rings. A serious 

 objection to this mode is, that the single-trees, being attached 

 in this manner, are at liberty to dangle about, so that they occasion- 

 ally are caught in the ground and turned over, the chains become 

 entangled in the legs of the animals, thus occasioning frequently 

 much trouble and sometimes serious injury. 



" My improvement consists in the application of the stiff double 

 and single-trees (see Fig. 8), which are constructed by making 

 the double-trees in two bars, so that the single-trees work between 

 them. Thus, all the play is admitted which is needed, and the 

 inconvenience pointed out entirely avoided. The mode in which 

 the double-tree is attached to the plow is by means of a clevis 

 which opens in the bow (see a a, Fig. 8), which forms two 

 blocks, admitting of being easily attached to or detached from 

 the plow, perfectly safe, and by which the team can be placed 

 farther from or nearer to the plow, quietly and without trouble. 



"Date of patent, October 1st, 1825. 



" William Elliott, 



-Alex. MclNTiRE, ^Witnesses." 



6 



" GIDEON DAVIS. 



