46 



apprentices' work — a master workman can cut out his own 

 lands. 



I know of" no direction in whicli a little more know^ledge 

 would be of so much practical benefit to the farmers of Essex 

 County, as a little more knowledge of the art of economical 

 ploughing. There are very few ftirmers in the County Avho 

 can take a pair of spirited horses, drive the team themselves, 

 and cut out lands, or furrow out with one or two horses, or 

 cultivate their crops, as well Avithout a driver as with one ; and 

 yet there are very few farmers in the County, who, if they 

 had a little more practical knowdedgc of the art of hold- 

 ing and driving at the same lime, w^ould not be perfectly 

 independent of drivers for any of their ploughing or cul- 

 tivating, for they would soon learn what some have already 

 learned, and that is, that they can drive better when holding 

 the plough or cultivator, than any one can drive for them. 



I wish to ask if it is not time for our society to begin the 

 work of educating the farmers of the county, so that they 

 can cut our their lands and do all their ploughing and culti^ 

 vating without a driver. 



I wish to ask if it would not be well for the society to offef 

 premiums for the best single furrow ploughed in sod lands ? 

 the team and plough to be furnished by the Committee ; all 

 competitors to use the same team and plough ; and also, if it 

 would not be w^ell to ofler premiums for the best three or five 

 furrows with a single horse, as in marking out for potatoes. 

 This work could be done after the ploughing match, if the 

 land was well harrowed. 



Ansel W. Putnam, Chairman. 



PLOUGHING WITH SWIVEL PLOUGH. 



The Committee report : — 



Wm. A. Russell, Lawrence, first premium $12* 



Wm. B. Carlton, Chairman^ 



