The Plow As I See It

The plow, as I see it, has not been properly rated as a farm implement in the minds of city people. The majority have the poet's concep- tion that walking behind the plow is plodding, a laborious gait coupled with dull, but diligent study.

From my experience, however, as a boy and during competition in the Mayor's Class at last year's International Plowing Match, I have come to the conclusion that whether working from behind a horse or in comparative ease from the seat of a tractor there is much more to plowing than simply going through the motions. The very phrase, "Plow a straight furrow" should be in- dicative to most of us that the art of plowing is a noble occupation. Farmers risk their very exis- tence on the plow and their ability to make a straight furrow.

To the best of my recollection I have never seen a fat farmer. They are continually stooping over the plow to adjust the blades or cutters and to manipulate the various levers would strain to the breaking point the muscles of a city dwel- ler. From the very time he strikes out to keep the furrow straight, he is stooping either to pick up rocks, adjust the cutters or alter the cast of the plow. A good farmer must lay out the field in his mind's eye for proper plowing, having re- gard for the contour of the land. He must set his furrow in the right direction to retain mois- ture in the high places with proper drainage in the low spots.

As a boy I spent my summers on the farm and I know from experience how hard it is to follow the plow.

It was a great privilege for me to participate in the Mayors' Class at the 1952 International Plowing Match and I am looking forward to defending my title this year at Cobourg. I can- not say how long I shall be able to remain in com- petition as it takes many hours of practice to become proficient but whether I continue or not, I have met many great farmers whom I am pleas- ed to number among my friends.

I extend to everyone my very best regards and congratulate the people of Cobourg and dis- trict in having your community selected as the locale for this year's International Plowing com- petitions and will see you at tile Mayors' Class October 6th, 1953.