Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1871-03-23

By invitation Of Mr.. F. c. Williams, of the
county Of Nottoway, number of gentlemen as
semblcd at his residence. Saturday, December
TO- to test, by practical experiment, the compare
tive value of the Dixie Plow, manufactured by
Starke & Co., and any other that might enter
the field Of competition.
The plows were tak ken to the field at halt-past
two o'clock p m, the following gentlemen act
ing as judges: +. W. EpeS, J. B. Williams,
Robert Scott Jas. S. Gillian, VIM. T. Christian,
Richard Epes, DR.. Daring Sidney Graves,
Walton Sydnor, F. c. Williams G: \. Seaya and
J. NJ HUT. Mr.. S Graves and Walton Sydnor
working the Watt pillow and 5. Graves the Dixie
both of whom handled them with mastery
skill and success.
The plows entered were the Dixie two-horse
| right and left hand plows, and the Watt two
horse left hand. Soon after the trial commenced,
| the beam of the Dixie right hand broke in two
and was laid aside, tho contest being narrowed
| to tho Watt left hand and Dixie left hand. The
soil first selected was Il stubble loan without SOIL
but as the plows were new, and did not turn in
consequence Of the roughneSs of the castings, at
ter Il short trial it was decided to take them to
another field where the soil WAS we'll trodden,
tenacious clay, with timothy sod covered with
vegetation and with straw The plows here per-
formed their work admirably, cutting and turn
ing clear without choking.
AS the Dixie WAS new conner, rs tho contest
waxcd warm, most Of the judges took hold Of X
to test personally its practical working. While
neither party had agent or representative pre-
sent and both pows did well, yet tho trial, with
the award Of the judges, is deemed of sufficient
Importance to the interest Of agriculture to justi
fly its publication.
The award of the judges was unanimously in
favor of the Dixie on the following grounds:
1St. 1t cut deeper Through.
I'd. 1t cut wider Through
3D. 1t moro ctiectualy inverted tho sod.
4th. Tho draft seemed To be no creator
n hn moo hop II altorlnp
cut was deemed more simple and efficient.
At the conclusion of the trial some OF the judges
were SO pleased us tn determine to order them
for their own use. j. NJ. liURT, Secretary.
| l certify that the above WAS sent to tho Rich
| mond Wing for publication by myself; that |
| am not acquainted with MIR: Starke; that he had
never seen the paper and know nothing Of it:
| Of plows alluded to.
January I, 1871. j. NJ. HURT.
We, the judges in the pillow Trial. on tho
farm Of Mr.. f. {. Williams, published i'll the
Wing, hereby certify that it was directed to be
sent to that journal ~ communication by the
Judges who made the award.
+. G.. WILLIAMS,
w. II. CHRISTIAN,
}. b. WILLIAMS,
January Q, 1871. JAS. j. GILLIAN.
| do not believe in pillow trials mado by tho
manufacturers themselves, but hopn that. avery
farmer will ut mako full trial OF tho DIX"
with every pillow he can find, and buy that which
docs the best work. have not been ablo to- sup
| ply the demand nor fll my orders for some
| time. and must leave the field trials whore they
| rightly bel ong-to farmers themselves
p. II. STARKE, li4O Main street.
Now Market, Caroline County,
February 20 1871.
Z. II. Starkc esq:
Dear Sir-Incloscd you will find certificate
which send you for your "Di1io' Pow. ]
have been actuatcd from no other motive, but
alone from tho mort of tho Plow. / foar the
certificate may be too lengthy for publication
should YOU desire it, but I felt desire to do
your Plow Justice and At tho same tme to q"
Watt no in Justice, and show tn" reasons why
thought your Pow the best, and my opportuni-
tics for Judging OF the two PlowS. You can
mako such disposlrc ms you may choose OF the
certificate | am very respectfully DC,
JOHN II. TALIAFERRo.
Falls Church, Va, October %, 1870
Mr. A. r. Skinner, Alexandria:
Dear Sir: The Dixie Plow bought of you
the past season has given INC entire satisfaction,
after Il thorough test. l have used the best
Northern Pows, and consider the Dixie SILL
r''''' ', JONI L. KooS.
For sale by ALBERT T. SKINNER,
mar 10 and ~ s. Union ST., AlcXa., Va.