ON PLOWS. 35 



ces some new modification, that finds more or less ad- 

 mirers, affords abundant stimulus for further application 

 of skill. And the further fact that different qualities of 

 soil, and different kinds of teams used, will always de- 

 mand variations in their structure adapted to their pe- 

 culiarities, gives abundant scope for additional invention. 



The committee, desirous of informing themselves as 

 well as to instruct others on the subject to which their 

 attention has been directed, requested of each of the 

 manufacturers a brief statement of the alterations and im- 

 provements introduced by them in the structure of the 

 plow. Believing that the facts thus learned from prac- 

 tical mechanics, who have an interest in adopting those 

 which are most valuable, will be of more utility than any 

 theoretical speculations of our own — we have conden- 

 sed from these communications the following: 



As early as 1833 Ruggles t^- Co. came to the conclu- 

 sion that the cast-iron plows then in use were quite too 

 short; — they lengthened their patterns, which enabled 

 them to place the mould board or plate at a more acute 

 angle with the landside. This form was ascertained to 

 possess many advantages; and they have been gradually 

 lengthening their patterns to the present time. By so 

 doing they have diminished the power of draft required, 

 and obtained a facility of laying the furrows with much 

 greater eveness and precision. In their description they 

 have annexed a representation of the Eagle Plow, (the 

 plate of which they have kindly placed in the hands of 

 the committee for the use of the Society) in reference to 

 which they observe, " in adding length to Eagle No. 2, 

 we gave a greater length in proportion forward of the 

 standard bolt A. wdiich allowed us to form the share or 

 point on a more acute angle on the cut B. and by the 

 additional length forward, we were enabled to form the 

 mouldboard with so gradual a rise and regular curve 

 that it takes up the furrow slice with great ease, bearing 

 it lightly and equally over the whole surface, turning it 

 over with the least possible bending or twisting, placing 

 it smooth and unbroken entirely subverted by the side 

 of the preceding slice, covering most effectually all 



