64 . FARM IMPLEMENTS. 



important that these soils are mixed and reduced to a proper fineness 

 before they are fit to give a strong growth to the virgin plant ; and the 

 plow that accomplishes this work in the most effective and thorough 

 manner, other things being equal, should be preferred. And how can 

 the merits of it be determined except by actual trial ? 



Another object in plowing is, to increase the depth of soil, that 

 the roots of the plants may have a more extensive range. Formerly 

 it was supposed that the roots of all cereals extended only a few inches, 

 but within a few years, it has been proved beyond doubt that they 

 extend several feet ; these facts go to show that shallow plowing is all 

 wrong. 



We would not, by the way, recommend to plow up a large amount 

 of subsoil that never before had been removed ; but at each successive 

 plowing, gauge the plow so that it may remove about one inch more in 

 depth, than at the previous J)lowing. This will add an amount of 

 subsoil to the surface, equal to about one hundred loads of thirty bush- 

 els each to the acre, to be converted into surface soil. This method 

 should be practiced till the required dej^th is obtained. 



MOWING MACIIIXES. 



The first farm implement that came to our notice for which a premi- 

 um was offered, was the " Horse Mower." Only two entries were made. 

 The probable reason for so meagre a show in this department, was in. 

 consequence of the small amount of premiums offered, viz., $10. 

 Whereas it should have been at least $40. If our grass fields are to 

 be cut by horse power, our Agricultural Societies should be more lib- 

 eral in offering premiums, that we may have greater competition, and 

 bring out the best machines. Manifestly the horse mower is the greatest 

 labor saving machine to the farmer that has yet "been got up." Itwas 

 the prevailing opinion less than eight years ago, that there was not brain 

 enough in New England to get up a mowing machine of one horse 

 power, worthy the name of a horse mower. Yet at the present time 

 there are probably more one horse machines used in Worcester North, . 

 than of the other kind. Of the two machines entered, — the Buckeye 

 and Clipper, — we have to say that the Committee were not unanimous 

 in awarding the premium. 



About four years ago, these two machines were exhibited in the- 



