106 TRAXS ACTIONS. 



ing away under the potent influence of mowing, Avinnowing and 

 thrashing machines, seed sowers and planters, corn shellcrs, patent 

 churns and patent cow-tail holders. Necessity, " the mother of in- 

 vention," has caused great improvements to be made in all the im- 

 plements of husbandry, and the farmer can give no satisfactoay rea- 

 son why his work should not be done in its season, and well done. 

 Yet we fear there are many, who, from mistaken notions of economy, 

 or fear of spending the " almighty dollar," follow in the beaten track 

 of their fathers and grandfathers. Such would prefer the Syrian 

 plough of old, which was made of th? branch of a tree, cut off below 

 some crook, and tipped with iron, and drawn by a small cow or ass, 

 merely scratching the surface of the ground, to the double, cast iron 

 plough of the present day, that is capable of pulverizing the soil to 

 the depth of twelve or fourteen inches. No good farmer will fail to 

 employ these aids to labor, which, as experience has taught, tend to 

 improve the condition of all classctss, and to advance civilization. The 

 farmer and mechanic are bound together by the strongest ties of in- 

 terest, and whatever contributes to the prosperity of the one, operates 

 equally to the advantage of the other. We cannot forbear, here, from 

 alluding to the too common practice of furnishing our youth with 

 worn out or refuse tools ; and then requiring too great an amount of 

 labor, or finding fault with its execution. We need not wonder that 

 they look upon agriculture, as servile or slavish ; and on its votaries, 

 as mere serfs ; and leave the old homestead, with sU its hallowed as- 

 sociations, in pursuit of other occupations. Encourage them not only 

 by precept and example, but by surrounding them with those comforts 

 and conveniences, which none but ihe husbandman can enjoy, which 

 are so well calculated to secure that greatest of earthly blessings, a 

 contented and happy mind. 



The exhibition of specimens of agricultural imjDlements and mechanic 

 arts, was good, comprising thirty entries, but time and space will for- 

 bid an extended notice. Among the best, were the fire engine of 

 Cataract Engine Co., of Amherst, which, judging from its mechanical 

 appearance, would work like a charm ; a Seraphine, entered by L. G. 

 Rice of Montague, of beautiful finish and superior tone ; a telegraph 

 machine by G. H. Brown, of Granby, of fine mechanical appearance 

 — samples of agricultural implements by Lovett & Dickinson of Am- 

 herst, which would recommend themselves to any farmer ; samples of 

 axes, adzes, &lc., by C. W. Hannum of Chester, which brought forci- 

 bly to mind the old adage, " beware how you handle edge tool." W. 



