274 Report of the Special Committee. 



if need bo, twenty times until this result is fully accomplished 

 When the plow does not run level, but is frequently changed by 

 the plowman from one side to the other, the two sides of the 

 furrow slice will be found to be unequal in thiclniess, and, there- 

 fore, the soil of the thinner edge has been left undisturbed at the 

 bottom. We found in every case that the draught of the plow was 

 lightest when it was going smoothly and steadily by itself, 

 untouched by the plowman. It was really interesting to watch 

 its motions when running thus freely; if it encountered any obstacle 

 in the soil, which had a tendency to throw it out, it would turn 

 of its own accord to take more land, or if the obstacle directed it 

 inward, toward the land, it would turn to throw itself out; and 

 when it accomplished the object it would quietly settle down 

 again to its level and proper work. It was truly automatic in 

 its motions, but this was only so when the dift'erent parts were 

 adjusted with absolute accuracy, which can only be done by an 

 accom})lished plowman. Seeing these facts brought out so clearly 

 before our eyes, it was a cause of deep regret to us that the race 

 of finished plowman was rapidly running out in the State of New 

 York. 



Our plows have been very greatly improved within the last 

 quarter of a century; but the sons of farmers who were in the 

 noon of their viffor at that time do not understand the art of 

 plowing as well as their fathers did. We think that the State 

 Agricultural Society could exert its great power for good in no 

 direction where it would be more beneficial to farmers than in 

 taking measures to stimulate a taste for good plowing among the 

 rising generation of farmers in New York. The growing class in 

 our State, who farm for pleasure as well as profit, might do much 

 to encourage this taste. If they would adcq^t a high standard of 

 plowing, and insist upon their workmen approximating closely 

 to it, rewarding the closest approximations to it by a suitable 

 pecuniary recompense, the fashion of good plowing would soon 

 spread. Just as the fa.shion of skating has produced an al)undance of 

 elegant skaters, and the fashion of ba^^e-ball playing has produced 

 an abundant crop of admirable batsmen, throwers and catchers, 

 so the fashion of good plowing would supply us with first-class 

 plowmen. 



4. Hie actual results of the trial. These are shown in the fol- 

 lowing tables: 



