36 HAMPSHIRE AGBICUXTUEAL SOCIETY. 



large crops of the best quality of English hay a year, for the two 

 years that I have had it under trial. 



You will perceive, my dear Sir, that I have given you a very brief 

 and imperfect sketch of my operation. And this I do that the very 

 large number of men of small means like myself, Avho own such land, 

 may be induced to commence reclaiming without delay. 



LEONARD BARRETT. 



Belchertown, Oct. 18, 1851. 



ON AGRICULTURAL AND MECHANICAL IMPLEMENTS. 



We have no occasion to boast of the mechanical ability of the 

 Americans, inasmuch as the English have awarded us a good share of 

 praise on this score, since witnessing our specimens in the useful arts 

 at the Great Exhibition in London. We can construct the swiftest 

 vessels for navigating the water, and the best implements for plowing 

 and reaping on the l?nd, the vanquished themselves being judges. 

 The Brussells Carpeting of Massachusetts finds not its equal in all 

 Europe; and this beaiitiful fabric is woven wholly by machinery ; the 

 loom of Mr. BigeloAv requiring only an attendant, as every loom does, 

 to rejoin the broken threads; while the same species of carpeting, as 

 manufactured in other countries, employs the additional labor of a 

 hand to draw and replace the Avires which form the loops in the warp. 

 Our countryman Hobbs, has picked the most ingenious and puzzling 

 lock ever made in another country ; and has also made a lock which 

 none but an American is likely to pick. Our telegraphic machinery 

 has no rival in the world, either in respect to rapidity of operation 

 for transmiting intelligence, or precision for astronomical uses. 



In articles of fancy, we pretend not to compete with all the older 

 countries ; and that for the excellent reason, that Ave are just setting 

 out in life, and find it important to attend first to the necessary, the 

 useful and the convenient. When Ave are Avell established, and have 

 got things in operation to our mind, so that Ave can Jive, perhaps Ave 

 shall try our hand at matters of ornament and luxury. But may the 

 day be far distant, AA^hen the mechanical skill of our country shall be 

 expended principally, or even largely, in ministering to self indulgence. 



Your committee found an interesting collection of agricultural and 

 mechanical implements presented for their insj)ection. The number 

 of entries Avas tAventy. 



Messrs. J. R. Whittemorc & Co. of Chicopee Falls, made an en- 

 try of 12 PloAvs, 2 Hay Cutters and an Iron Scraper, all of excellent 



