HENRY STEPHENS V. JAMES DOULL.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXII, Issue 2797, 13 July 1866, Page 5

HENRY STEPHENS Y. JAMES DOULL.

To the Editor of the Dailf Southern Cross. Sir,— Now that the question of ploughing matches is heing discussed in the column? of your widelycirculated journal, you will probably settle the question, and confer a favour, on the believers in said matches, by finding a corner for the following extract from flenry Stephens's "Book of the Farm." Mr. Stephens, while in practice, proved himself to be no ignoramus, and is still very generally believed to be one of the best living authorities on all matters relating to agriculture. — I have, &c,, John Wallace. JTlafc Bush, July 5, 1866.

"This seems to me a, fittiDg place to say a few words on ploughing matches. I believe it admits of no doubt that, since *the institution of ploughing matches throughout the country, the character of our farm servants as ploughmen has risen to considerable celebrity ; not but that individual ploughman could ha\ c been found before the practice of matches existed as dexterous as any of the present day, but the general existence olgood ploughing must be obvious to every one who is in the habit of observing the arable condition of the country. This improvement is not to be ascribed to the institution of ploughing matches alone, because supeTior construction of implements, better kept, better matched, *nd a superior race of horses, and superior judgment and i taste in field labour in the farmer himself, are too important elements in influencing the conduct of ploughmen, to be overlooked in the consideration of this question. "But be the primary motive for improvement in the most important branch of field labour as it may, doubtless a properly regulated emulation amongst workmen of an}' class proves a strong incentive to the execution of superior workmanship ; and the more generally the inducement is extended, £he more generally the improvement arising from it may be expected to be diffused ; and on this account the plough medals of the Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland, being open in competition to all parts of Scotland every year, have perhaps exoited a spirit of emulation among ploughmen, as a reward to those who excel beyond anything to be seen in any other country. "Wherever 15 ploughs can begot together for competition at any time and place, there the ploughman who obtains the first prize offered by those interested in the exhibition is entitled to receive, over and above, the Society's /silver Plough Medal, bearing a suit-,, able inscription, , with the gainer's name engraved upon itl About 60 applications are made for the medals every year, so that at least 900 men annually compete for them ; but the actual number far exceeds that number,' as in many'insta'nces matches corapre- . hend from 401 to 70 ploughs instead of the minimum number of 15. Besides- stated competition", such matches are occasioned by the welcome which neighbours are desirous of •. giving »n incoming tenant vto hit farm, and its heartiness is shown in the extent of the ploughing given; him .before he has i collected a w.orking stock sufficient for the purpose."