THE PLOUGH.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3275, 21 July 1911, Page 2

THE PLOUGH.

THE EARLY DAYS AND NOW. Several interesting references to a plough and to ploughing were made at tlie dinner at Marton, which followed the ploughing competitions held there last week. It was stated that 1820 was the year .in which tlie first plough was used in New Zealand. Mr W. J. Birch referred to ploughing in the early days, when bullocks were the chief means of power. The work turned out then was not nearly so picturesque and neat as tlie work seen at the ploughing match that day. Mr J. Balsillie said that ploughing in the North Island, as a whole, was very slip-shod compared with that in tlie South Island, as sufficient care was not taken in the work. The old wooden plough in the old days had done as good work as tlie up-to-date plough in use to-day. The improved implements were capable of much better work. Farmers should not forget tliat they were using virgin land, and that although the plough did a lot of good work tlie land would not always retain its productiveness unless fed by artificial means. .