Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1871-03-18
,aGRICUL TUR.9L.
CTARKE'S DIXIE PLOW.

STARKE's DIXIE PLOW.
BY invitation of Mr.. F. c. Williams of the
county of Nottoway, Il number of gentlemen as
sembled at his residence, Saturday, December
10, 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 pows were taken to the field at half-pa<t
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. D1aHrringm s,ansy s Gravesa
j. NJ HUT. Mi S. Graves and Walton Sydnor
were the principal plowmen, Mr. w. 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, the contest being narrowed
to tho Watt left hand and Dixie left hand. Tho
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, al
| ter q 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 a new conner, as the contest
| waXed warm, most Of the judges took hold Of 1t
| to test personally its practical working. w hie
| there is no intention to do injustice to any, rs
neither party had agent or representative pre-
sent and both plows did well, yet the trial, with
the award of the judges is deemed Of sufficient
importance to the interest ofngrculturc 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 turrough
I'd. 1t cut wider Through.
Sd. 1t moro eiectIally inverted the sod.
4th. The draft seemed to be no greater.
5th. The mechanical arrangement for altering
cut was deemed more simple and efficient.
At the conclusion Of the trial some OF theJudges
were so pleased as to determine to order them
for their own use. J. NJ. HURT, Secretary
certify that the above was sent to the Rich
mond Wing for publication by myself that |
AM not acquainted with Mr.: Starkei that he had
never seen the paper and knew nothing OF its
contents, and was in no wise party to the trial
of plows alluded to. ...
January !, 1871. d. VI. HURT.
farm Of Mr. F. C. Williams, published in tho
Wing, hereby certify that it was directed to be
sent to that journal It's Il communication by the
Judges who made the award.
f. C. WILLIAMS,
J. B. WILLIAMS,
January g. 1871. JAS. ;. GILLIAN.
do not believe in plOw trials made by tho
manufacturers themselves, but hope that every
farmer will at once make full trial Of the Dixie
with every pillow lie can find, and buy that which
does the best work have not been able 10 sup
ply tho demand nor fill my orders for some
time, and must leave tho field trials whcro they
rightly bel ong-to farmers themselves.
New Market, Caroline County,
February ~, 1871.
p. II. Starke, esq.
Dear Sir-Incloscd you will find certificate
which send you for your Dixie Plow. l
have been actuatcd from no other motive, but
alone from the merit of the Plow. toar tho
certificate may be too lengthy for publication
should YOU desire it, but l felt desire to do
vour Plow Justice and ut the time to do
Watt no injustice, and show the reasons why l
thought your Pow the best, and my opportuni
| ties for Judging OF the two Plows. \ on can
| make such disposurc ne you may choose of tho
| certificate I am very respectfully. &c,
JOIN II. TALIAFERRo.
Falls Church, Va, October ., 1870.
Mr.. A. T. Skinner Alexandria
Dear Sir: The Dixie Plow bought Of you
tho past season has given entire satisfaction,
after thorough test. [ have, used the best
Northern PlowS and consider tho Dixie au-
perior to any l ever used. IcUrs truly,
.ioHS l. kooN
For sale By ALBERT +. SKINNER,
mar 10 and y s Union ST. Alexa, Va.