73 



Now one man, with one yoke of oxen, will plough an acre in 

 less time and do it better ; but if he ploughs the same, the ex- 

 pense, at the above rate, would be only $2.50 an acre, being less 

 than one-fourth, or making a difTorence of ^'8.75 in ploughing an 

 acre. Land, however, is now generally more free from roots and 

 stones, for which some allowance in the above estimate should 

 be made. If we go still further back, we find Elisha plough- 

 ing with twelve yoke of oxen ; v/e are not informed, however, 

 about the quality of the soil, or how many men he had to assist 

 him ; but if it required twelve yoke of oxen to plough in his day, 

 can it be thought strange that he should quit ploughing and take 

 up prophesying ? 



Again, a man once asked to be excused from attending a feast 

 because he had bought five yoke of oxen, and he must go to prove 

 them — whether for ploughing, drawing, or other purposes, is not 

 stated ; but from the frequency with which oxen are mentioned 

 in the iScriptures, and the great number which some of the an- 

 cients possessed, (one man having owned a thousand yoke,) it 

 would seem that they were held in high repute by the sacred 

 writers. 



For the Committee, 



ELIJAH TUCKER, Chairman. 

 DedJiam, Sept. 26, 1862. 



HORSE TEAMS. 



Whole number of entries, 8. 



First premium to John Bennett, of Dorchester — one pair horses, 

 Lion Plough, No. 61, $8. 



Second premium to Willard P. Clark, of Medway — one pair 

 horses, Smith & Field's Plough, No. 2, $6. 



Third premium to Hiram Coldwell, of Needham — one pair 

 mules. Lion Plough, No. 61, $4. 



Fourth premium to Benjamin White, of Milton — one pair horses, 

 Prouty & Mears' Plough, No. 25, $2. 



Mr. Luther Eaton, of Dedham, gave a good exhibition of his 

 skill with Subsoil Plough, and not having entered for premium, is 

 entitled to the thanks of your Committee. 



Mr. Hiram Coldwell, of Needham, entered for premium one 

 pair of mules of large size and great strength. The Committee 

 award to him the third premium, finding in his team the strength 

 of two good horses, exclusive of the alligator. 



For the Committee, 



ROBERT PORTER, Chairman. 

 Dedham, Sept. 26, 1862. 



