30 



f5. Gratuity to A. H. Whidden, Peabody, for collection 



of implements. 

 $8 and Diploma to Whitcomb & Carter, Beverly, for col- 

 lection of agricultural implements. 

 J. J. H. Gregory — for the Committee. 



REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURAL 

 IMPLEMENTS. 



There were thirty -five entries in this department of our 

 annual exhibit, with an average seasoning of the new and 

 useful. As usual the Breeds' weeder principle appeared, 

 embodied in several implements. The scratching out of 

 weeds when just started, by the fingers, always a com- 

 mon practice, evidently suggested to Mr. Breed the idea 

 of doing with an implement the same kind of work on a 

 larger scale. No one can get much benefit from this 

 weeder who delays working it until the weeds get to be 

 of any size. The true time to work it, for exterminating 

 results, is when the weed seed have but sprouted, has not 

 fully pierced through, but show only a white, thread-like 

 filament to one gently stirring the surface of the soil. A 

 plant disturbed in this, its initiatory stages, never survives. 

 The hand implement, involving the Breed principle, does 

 excellent work among bed stuff, not only killing the weeds 

 as they start, but also in -finely breaking the surface of 

 land which lies baked after rain and so enabling the seed 

 to push through. In every form in which it is used care 

 needs to be taken to lift it whenever any stone, corn butt 

 or like impediments clog it, otherwise the young plants will 

 be torn up as badly as though a small plough had been 

 run through them. 



The practical objection I have to some of the heavier 

 forms of the weeder is, that when clogged, the driver soon 

 gets tired of lifting to clear them and consequently, in 



