70 



PLOWING— SINGLE TEAMS. 



fact that the surface was smooth and even^ and the soil 

 a light sandy loam and entirely free from stones, hut 

 little skill was required to produce good plowing, and 

 hence the judgment and decision of your Committee 

 was rendered much more embarrassing than it would 

 have been upon less favorable ground. In the judg- 

 ment of your Committee, such ground should be selected, 

 if possible, as will compare with the average of our 

 farms in this part of the county, and then real skill and 

 merit, amid difficulty and embarrassment, will bring 

 out the true mettle and character both of the team and 

 the plowman. How many of us have been deceived in 

 relation to the real character of what we supposed to be 

 an affectionate husband, or an amiable wife, or fond and 

 dutiful children, until opportunities have offered for us 

 to " look behind the curtain" and listen to their flimily 

 jars, and personal recriminations, when amid difficulty 

 and disappointment, passion for the time has held sway. 

 So may we be deceived in relation to the real merit of 

 the plowman and his team, if there are no stones, roots 

 or bogs to irritate his temper, or turn aside his plow 

 and perplex his cattle. Our object is, not to see how 

 well a man and team can do under the most favorable 

 circumstances, but rather to develope the skill and 

 habits of the team and driver, as they may be seen on 

 his own farm and away from restraint, amid the ordinary 

 duties of every day life. We have heard some plowman 

 use very different language to their teams, on the public 

 highway, from that indulged in on cattle shoAV day. 



We are happy to state th;it no boisterous or profane 

 language was heard by your Committee the "present 

 year, and that the speed and training of the cattle were 



