30 



ufactured by thousands, as they noir are, and sold at almost 

 every store. Then, if a person wanted a plough, he first went 

 to the blacksmith and ordered the ii'ons ; then carried the irons 

 to the plough-maker and ordered the wood- work ; then again 

 to the blacksmith to have the wood sheathed with plates of 

 iron — all the work being usually performed without the aid of 

 steam or water power. Many of them were of inferior qual- 

 ity, although there were ploughs made that would compare 

 favorably in field work with the ploughs of the present day, 

 but more team was required to use them. 



There has also been great improvement in instruments for 

 pulverizing the soil and clearing the field crops of weeds. The 

 cultivator, horse hoe and improved harrow were formerly not 

 known. Experience shows, however, that the plough, in the 

 cultivation of the field crops, should not be wholly laid aside. 

 One advantage, however, the cultivator of the soil had in those 

 days — the Yankee boys would perform more labor, hoeing in 

 the field, than the foreigners necessarily employed at the present 

 time. 



It is hardly necessary to say anything in regard to the depth 

 of ploughing, as it is generally understood that deep culture is 

 beneficial to the growth of plants. It depends, however, on 

 the sub-soil, on the amount of manure applied on the crops 

 cultivated, and various other thiiags ; therefore there is no gen- 

 eral rule to be applied, but every cultivator of the soil must be 

 governed by the circumstances in which he is placed. 



There were eight entries for premium — -but seven, however, 

 appeared on the ground as competitors. The teams appeared 

 in fine order, well disciplined, and performed the work Avell. 

 The time occupied in ploughing was from thirty to forty-five 

 minutes. As to the ploughs, there were as many kinds as com- 

 petitors, no two being alike. 



The Committee would recommend the following premiums : 



1st premium, of $10, to Richard T. Jaques and R. S. Bray of 

 Newbury. 



