Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1871-03-22
.aGRICUL TURN
DURE BONE DUST.
CTARKE'S DIXIE PLOW.

By invitation of Mr.. F. G. Williams, of the
county of Nottoway, a number of gentlemen as
Semblcd at his residence Saturday, December
10, to test, by practical experimenting compare
tive value of the Dixie Plow, manufactured by
Starke & Co., and any other that might enter
the field of competition.
The plows were taken to tho field at half-past
two o'clock p. m; the following gentlemen act
ing as judges F. "; Epcs, J. B; Williams,
Robert Scott, JAS; S. Gillian, VIM; Il. Christian
Walton Sydnor, F. c. Williams: G. n. seay and
]. NJ. HUT. Mr. S. Graves end Walton Sydnor
were tho principal plowmen, Mr.. w. Sydnor
working the Watt pillow and S. Graves tho Dixie
both OF whom handled them with mastery
| skill and success.
| The plows entered were tho Dixie two-horso
right and LETT hand plows, and tho 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 subble loan without soil;
but rs the plows were new, and did not turn in
consequence of the roughncss of the castings, sf-
ter Il short trial it was decided to take them to
tenacious clay, with timothy sod covered with
vegetation and with straw. The plows here per
formed their work admirably, cutting ard turn
ing clear without choking.
AS the Dixie was new conner, as tho contest
waXed warm, most of the judges took hold of it
to test personally its practical working. While
there Is no intention TO do injustice to any,
| neither party had agent or representative pre-
sent, and both plows did well, yet the trial with
tho award OF the judges, is deemed Of sufficient
Importance to the interest Of agriculture to usti
f. its publication
The award of the judges was unanimously III
favor of the Dixie on the following grounds
1st. 1t cut deeper Through.
ID 1t cut wider furrough
3D. 1t moro etfcctually inverted tho sod.
Ath The draft seemed TO greater
9th. The mechanical arrangement for altering
cut was deemed more simple and efficient
At the conclusion of the trial some of thejudges
were pleased as to determine to order them
for their own use. j. NJ. Hurt, Secretary.
l certify that the above was sent to the Rich
mond Wing for publication by myself; that l
am not acquainted with Mr.. Starke; that he had
never seen the paper and knew nothing OF it.
contents, and was in 10 wise Il party to the trial
of plows alluded 10.
january 1, 1871. j. ~ HURT.
We, the judges in the Pillow Trial. on the
farm Of Mr. +. c. Williams, published in the
Wing, hereby certify that it was directed to be
sent to that journal us Il communication by the
Judges who made the award.
j. M HURT,
f. G. WILLIAMS,
w. 7. CHRISTIAN,
D. B. WILLIAMS,
january ., 1871. JAS. S. GILLIAN.
I do not believe in pillow trials made by tho
manufacturers themselves, but hope that. every
farmer will at once make q full trial of the Dixie
with every pillow he can find, and buyth which
does the best work have not been able to sup
ply the demand, nor fill my orders for some
time, and must leave the field trials whero they
rightly bel ong-to farmers themselves
p II. STARKE, 1910 Main street.
Now Market, Caroline County,
February 20, 1871.
p. H. Starkc, esq:
Dear Sir--Inclosed you will find certificate
which send you for your Dixie" Plow. |
have been actuated from other motive, but
alone from the merit Of tho Pillow. / foar tn"
certificate may be too les1gthy for publication
should YOU desire it, but / felt II desire to do
your Plow Justice, and at tho samo tlme to do
Watt no injustice, and show the reasons why
thought your Pow tho ,Jcst, and my opportuni-
ties for Judging OF the two plows. You can
make such disposurc rs you may choose Of tho
certificate. | am very respectfully, &c,
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 me entire satisfaction.
after thorough test. | have used the best
Northern Plows and consider the Dixie su-
perior to any ever used: Yours truly,
JOHN l.. kooH.
For salc BIZ ALBERT T. SKINNER,
MARI 10 and ~ S. Union ST., Alexa Wa