10 THE HISTORY OF THE 



an iron plough in 1797, but after spending $30,000 in 

 his effort to bring it into common use, abandoned the 

 attempt, as the farmers persisted in declaring that the 

 iron plough poisoned the soil and prevented the growth 

 of crops.^ 



Benjamin P. Ware, born in 1824, in an address to the 

 Society, drew a vivid picture of the farmer of his boy- 

 hood days. Incessant physical toil and great muscular 

 strength were the chief essentials. The farmer who was 

 determined to succeed had to mow the broadest swath, 

 hoe the hardest row, work the longest hours, and always 

 lead and spur his laggard men. The striped frock and 

 heavy cowhide boots were his only livery. 



There was crying need of a clearing house of agri- 

 culture, as it were, a common medium of information 

 which should gather up the methods of the most alert 

 and progressive farmers, the results of the latest experi- 

 ments with crops and new tools and improved breeds, 

 and bring them home to every farmer in every nook and 

 corner of Essex County, and teach him how to make his 

 head help his hand. This was the great task the Essex 

 Society set for itself. 



Its first method was publication. Abundant and in- 

 spiring material was not lacking. Col. Pickering's first 

 paper, read at a meeting on May 5, 1818, was published 

 at once in pamphlet form. In this practical document 

 he reported his visit to Danvers to see the famous Oakes 

 cow. Some years before, Caleb Oakes had bought a mon- 

 grel cow from a herd on its way from Maine to Brighton. 

 She had developed extraordinary butter-making quali- 

 ties and had taken the premium at the Cattle Show of 

 1816, held by the Massachusetts Society in Brighton. 

 Root crops were beginning to receive attention. He had 

 raised about half a ton of the new Mangel Wurtzel and 

 was so well pleased with the result that he had brought 



^U. S. Census Report, 1860. 



