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nearly so as in the garden. This the hcrse-hoe machinery accom- 

 plishes, and both the surface and subsoil are so continually stirred 

 and kept in such a loose friable state by it, that at all times of the sea- 

 son the most delicate roots find an easy passage through them in every 

 direction in search of food and moisture ; and this may be ascribed 

 not more to the efficacy of dung, than to the complete pulverization 

 of the soil. Thus the field by these various modifications, additions 

 and improvements of the plow, is made to compete with the garden 

 in the abundance, perfection and luxriousness of its crops, and with 

 far less expense in proportion to the extent of surface gone over. 

 We could say much more on the advantages of a first rate plow, and 

 good plowing, but we fear our length has already become tedious. 

 A few more words on the American Cast Iron Plow. We will give 

 here in further evidence of its merits in his own words as expressed 

 at the meeting of the club, when the case first came before it, the 

 opinion of Dr. Underbill, as possessing much weight. " It seems to 

 me," he says, " that something ought to be done for the widow and 

 daughter of the unfortunate but ingenious Newbold. Certa'n it is, 

 that there never has been produced in the world so important an in- 

 strument as the plow of iron. The saving of labor and the amount 

 of produce from the iron plow are beyond all calculation in dollars 

 for the last thirty years." 



Mr. Jefferson not only made improvements on the American plow, 

 but many years ago he wrote a valuable essay on the most correct 

 mode of forming the ear or mould-board. In this he estimates with 

 mathematical precision, the size, shape and weight of the ear, com- 

 pared with the other parts, and with the whole when put together, 

 and also with the width and depth of the furrow. That important 

 feature in the ear, the curve, its angle in all, its relations is minute- 

 ly examined, and as far as we are able to judge, results reached, 

 which give the whole investigation the appearance of arithmetical 

 accuracy. This with most of the late modifications and improve- 

 ments of the plow, are chiefly to diminish friction and resistance, to 

 facilitate its passage through the earth without impairing its effici- 

 ency, and with the least possible force. Mr. Jefferson was in Eu- 

 rope during the revolutionary war, and no doubt examined pretty 

 closely everything relating to agriculture there, noted all the impor- 

 tant improvements, with a view of making them useful to his own 

 country on his return. His science, experience and attainments, gen- 

 erally, enabled him to take every advantage of this information, and 

 to suggest alterations and make improvements, ■v\'henever he saw 

 these could be made to advantage. The essay in question is of some 



