ON PLOUGHINfi. 63 



were |>res3nt, expressed a desire to know more of this plough. 

 The attention of tlie committee was so taken up with their 

 other duties, that they had not full opportunity to test its 

 operation; — especially as it was not entered in the competition 

 for the premiums. Having seen similar ploughs operated at 

 Dedham, at Taunton, at Amherst, and at other places, uni- 

 formly with approbation ; — and having heard some quere ex- 

 pressed, as to the power of team necessary for their movement, 

 I determined to give them such a trial as to satisfy myself, at 

 3east, of their value. Accordingly, I wrote to Mr. Prouty, the 

 proprietor of this plough in Massachusetts, to send me two gi* 

 BEST STRUCTURE, SO gaugcd as to turn a furrow slice ten inches 

 wade, and eight inches deep — the sod part three inches, and 

 the under soil five inches. This was done ; — and on Tuesday 

 Is^^t, they were put in operation, by my brother, Aaron G. 

 Proctor, with a team of two pair of cattle, in presence of Dr. 

 A. Nichols, E. King, J. P. King, F. Phelps, and others. Sev- 

 ■eral of the gentlemen commenced the operation, with strong 

 impressions against the utility of the plough. It was tried in 

 every form, thought desirable to test its merits. It was com- 

 pared with one of the best Eagle Ploughs, Ruggles & Co. 

 The work was continued, until each gentleman present had 

 an opportunity'' to hold, until he was satisfied. The result 

 was, that each and all, expressed their opinion, that the plough 

 Avas a decided improvement on any ploughs they had ever 

 seen ; — and that it would be found of great value, for man/ 

 uses on the farm. Having this morning received a note from 

 Mr. Wm. R. Putnam, one of the gentlemen, who assisted in 

 operating the ploughs, I thought I could not do a better ser- 

 vice for our farmers, than to give you an extract from this 

 note, (to be appended to the Report of the Committee on 

 ploughing.) Mr. Putnam says, "my impression when I first 

 saw the plough was, that it might pulverize the soil well, but 

 that it would require more power to operate it than a common 

 plough. But in the practical operation of it, I was disappoint- 

 ed. It appeared to work as easy for the team, as the common 

 plough ; and easier for the holder, in fact, it almost held itself. 

 <^ne part balancing the other. I saw it move many rods ac- 



