MR. PROCTOR S ADDRESS. \) 



this superiority is the consequence of these Exhibitions. 

 To my mind it is a direct consequence. The premiums 

 offered operated as a stimulus for improvement, and 

 elicited ingenuity in the introduction of such improve- 

 ments. One improvement paved the way for others ; 

 — different artists endeavored to excel each other, — 

 and thus by compounding and combining the better 

 points of each, have the present perfect implements 

 been perfected. Our farmers seeing the superiority of 

 these implements at these Exhibitions, have promptly 

 seconded the movements of the makers, and brought 

 them into use in the community. If no other benefit 

 had accrued from the Exhibitions, than the introduction 

 to general use, of the improved ploughs, it might well 

 be contended that the balance would be in their favor. 



It is now well understood that one of the most valua- 

 ble improvements in the structure of the plough that has 

 been mad /, consists in forming the mould board so that 

 it will pass through the furrow with least resistance, 

 laying it smooth without being liable to clog. Col. 

 Pickeiing states that forty years ago, while in Pennsyl- 

 vania, he observed this characteristic in the plough. 

 Afterwards, in a conversation with Mr. Jefferson, he 

 found that he had noticed the same thing, and made a 

 communication on the subject to the Philosophical Soci- 

 ety. Col. P. describes the rule of construction as fol- 

 lows : — 



" Having fixed a straight line, by one cut of a saw 

 " from the upper corner of the mould board behind to 

 " its point forward, — cut away the wood above and be- 

 " low that line in such manner, that when finished if 

 *' you carry a straight rule from the fore to the hind 

 " part, keeping it all the way at right angles with the 

 " straight line, it shall touch the face of the mould 

 "board, in its whole breadth, in straight lines, through 

 " its entire winding, so that its upper corner behind shall 

 " overhang the lower sufficiently to effect a complete 

 *' turning of the furrow slice." 



Thus you see the best minds have condescended to 

 notice small things ; and by so doing, have done a more 

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