RURAL LIFE IN LITCHFIELD COUNTY 



plows, drawn by a yoke of oxen, could do handsomer 

 plowing than is done with the best sulky plow of to- 

 day." 



The mechanics of the plow were practically unknown 

 until Thomas Jefferson made a study of the subject and 

 constructed a plow along scientific lines, basing his work 

 on the mechanical principles of the wedge, by which the 

 plow operates. From this time (about 1800) the real 

 improvements in the plow began. For years after these 

 experiments the farmers were slow to appreciate the 

 benefits which might result from them. They thought 

 the iron plow would poison the soil, and so, for many 

 years, they clung to the heavy wooden plow which 

 varied but little In pattern from that used 3000 years 

 ago. Some of these old plows were so heavy that sev- 

 eral men were required to hold one In the soil. When 

 the plow which Israel Putnam left in the furrow to 

 answer the call of Bunker Hill was exhibited in Hart- 

 ford, some twenty years ago, an up-to-date farmer was 

 heard to say, "Well, I don't wonder he left it in the 

 furrow to answer the call. He'd never have got there 

 if he'd waited to finish plowing, and I don't know but 

 death by a bullet would be full as easy as wearing your- 

 self out bunting rocks with that thing." 



After the land was prepared by the plow the seed 

 was sown broadcast by hand, and in the very early times 

 "kinder hetcheled In with a thorn bush set In a stick." 



[44] 



