ON PLOV^S. 37 



plow. If this could be done, the necessity of frequent 

 changing of points would be avoided, which has been a 

 great objection to the use of cast iron plows. Our at- 

 tention was also called by Ruggles Sf Co. to another im- 

 provement introduced by them in putting the share to 

 the mould board, by leaving a cavity on the underside of 

 the share, to insure a perfect fit of the edges, and equali- 

 ty of bearing on all parts. As also to an improvement 

 in attaching the landside, so that the landside and point 

 constitute the entire base on the landside of the plow. 

 We also learn from Ruggles & Co. that they have by 

 means of machinery introduced such uniformity in the 

 structure of their plows, that all those of the same class, 

 being exactly of the same form and dimensions, may be 

 repaired, when any particular part gives way, with a fa- 

 cility that could not otherwise be attained. 



The plows of Prouty & Co. have been extensively and 

 favorably known for a long time. If our recollection is 

 right, they received the premium of one hundred dol- 

 lars awarded by the State Society, a few years since, at 

 Worcester, after a careful and thorough examination by 

 an intelligent committee. With such a recommendation 

 they could not but be favorably received. Our attention 

 has been particularly called by these gentlemen to the 

 "centre draft" principle in the structure of their plows, 

 which they claim as their own invention. This improve- 

 ment was introduced by them in 1835. It is produced 

 "by inclining the landside and standard to the right or 

 towards the body of the plow, thereby making an acute 

 angle with the plane of the bottom. This inclination is 

 extended so far as to be directly, or nearly so, at or over 

 the centre of the resistance opposed to the instrument, 

 thereby producing a complete counterbalance, and al- 

 lowing the centre of the beam, and the line of the draft to 

 be in the line oi motion, and parallel with the landside." 

 Or in other words it is the inclination of the standard 

 and landside so as to form an acute angle with the plane 

 of the share; and the placing the beam on a line paral- 

 lel to the landside, within the body of the plow, and its 

 centre nearly in the perpendicular of the centre of resist- 



