Il2 TBAX8ACTI0NS. 



wliicli arc less clumsy, of better material, and of higher finish. "While 

 examining, not long ago, some beautiful bench tools, manufactured 

 by our own mechanics, we could not but revert to the " pod augur 

 days" of yore, — the contrast was so striking, between the olden and 

 modern implements. A pod augur ! Did you ever see one ? And 

 could you ever solve the problem satisfactorily to your own mind, 

 how any mechanic, though a Hercules in strength, could penetrate 

 twelve inches into seasoned oak timber with a square-ended gouge 

 yclept a pod augur ? As for us, the hardest problem of Euclid were 

 an easy task to it. 



In the olden time, travelling was done principally on horseback. 

 It was not uncommon for a gentleman and lady to ride upon the 

 same animal, at the same time ; the gentleman upon the saddle, and 

 the lady, behind, upon a pillion. Wagons were next contrived, but 

 of very rude character, as many of us well remember ; consisting of 

 four wheels, — two very large, and two in front very small, with 

 wooden axletrecs, and a canoe-shaped body perched directly upon the 

 axletrees. Add to this a high-backed w^ooden seat, upon a pair of 

 wooden sj^rings, and you have the pleasure and business carriage, 

 common among us, forty ijcars ago. A little later, came the chaise 

 and the thorough-braced wagon, hung upon straps of leather ; and 

 at length, within a few years, the elegant four-wheeled, steel-sjiringed 

 carriages, of varied form, so convenient, beautiful, and easy, let the 

 highways be ever so rough or smooth. There are those living, who 

 have journied both in the ancient, and modern vehicle; and whose 

 rheumatic joints, if they could speak, would bless the modern carriage 

 makers. 



But, we m.ust not omit the improved implements of husbandry. 

 In no art has there been a more marked advance. New tools have 

 been invented, and old ones improved, until farming has become com- 

 paratively an easy task. Look at the plow of to-day ; and, then, at 

 the uncouth, Avooden, iron-sided thing, bearing that name, of thirty 

 years ago. What was it ? A heavy wooden beam, with a wooden 

 mould-board, plated with straps of wrought iron, to which was fast- 

 ened a wrought-iron nose of clumsy construction. It was a heavy, 

 cloggy thing to manage, both for man and beast, and did its work 

 badly. Compare this implement with the cast-iron plow of the pres- 

 ent day and comment is unnecessary. Hoes, too, have received the 

 finishing touch of the mechanic. Those presented by Messrs. Graves 

 &/ Hatch, of North Leverett, w^ere the most beautiful and perfect 

 articles of the kind> we ever saw. Formerly, a hoe was a flat, thick, 



