WORCESTER SOCIETY. 47 



Selections from Report of Committee. 



Twenty-two teams were on the ground. The work was com- 

 pleted at various times ; from forty-two minutes to over one 

 hour. The first premium of $10 was awarded to Elbridge G. 

 Wheelock, of Millbury, himself ploughman. 

 Simon Carpenter, of Charlton, 2d premium, . . . $9 

 Thomas J. Wheelock, of Grafton, 3d premium, . . 8 



Horace Stockwell, of Sutton, 4th premium, ... 7 

 Joseph H. Whitney, of Westborough, 5th premium, . . 6 

 Anson Warren, of Westborough, 6th premium, ... 5 

 Reuben Carpenter, of Sturbridge, 7th premium; . . 4 



Allen Newhall, of Spencer, 8th premium, ... 3 



Reuben Newhall, of Spencer, 9th premium, ... 2 

 William Eames, of Worcester, 10th premium, ... 1 



It is a remarkable fact, that six practical farmers should have 

 awarded the first premium, among twenty-two competitors, to a 

 pair of two years old steers ; but it is quite as remarkable, that 

 they should have fully deserved it. A question was made by 

 some of the competitors, whether two years old steers could be 

 termed oxen, within a fair construction of the rules of the soci- 

 ety ; but the committee were of the opinion, that the term oxen, 

 when connected with ploughing, was not confined to any par- 

 ticular age, but depended on their discipline and capacity to 

 manage a plough ; and that, within this definition, there were 

 no animals on the field better entitled to the appellation than 

 these steers. And besides, precedent has well established the 

 rule. Double teams of two and three years old steers have 

 several times taken premiums, and last year, a premium was 

 awarded to a double team, one pair of which were yearlings. 



Your committee have been amply compensated for their 

 arduous services, by the high degree of skill manifested in the 

 discipline of the cattle and holding of the plough. Skill in hold- 

 ing the plough ! How strangely such an expression would 

 strike the ear of a dandy, or of a shop-boy six weeks behind 

 the counter ! Yet there are very few mechanical operations 

 requiring a more accurate eye, or more good judgment, than 

 guiding the plough. Your committee were of opinion, and so 



