Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1871-03-28
CTARKE'S DIXIE PLOW.

Bv invitation of Mr.. F. c. Williams. Of the
county of Nottowav number of gentlemen as
sembled at his residence. Saturday, December
l0. t. test by practical c1perlmcnt,the compare
tive value Of the Dixie Plow, manufactured by
Starke l. Co.. and any other that might enter
the field Of competition.
The plows were taken to the field at halt-past
two clock p. M; the following gsntlse,m!sein? ac:
Robert Scott, Jas. 5 Gillian, Vim, L. Christian,
Richard EPes, Dr., paEring Sidney Graves;
]. NJ HUT. Mr. S Graves and Walton Sydnor
were the principal plowmen. Mr.. W. Sydnor
working the Watt pillow and ). Graves the Dixie
both of whom handled them with mastery
skill and success.
The p!ows entered were the Dixie two-h"rsc
right and left hand plows, and the Watt Two
horse left hand Soon after the trial commercial
the beam OF the Dixie RI ht hand broke in two
and WAS laid aside the contest being narrowed
to the Wat; left hand and Dixie left hand. The
soil first selected was \ stubbIe loan without soil!
but as the plOwS were new, and did not turn ~
consequence OF the roug hnc:s Of the castings al
ter q short trial it decided ~ take them to
another field where the soil was 4 well troddcE,
tenacious clay, with = timothy sod covered with
formed their work admirably, cutting and turn
ing clear without choking.
As the Dixie was Il new conner, a= the contest
waxcd warm, most Of the judges took hold 81 it
to test personally It's practical working. While
there is no intention IL do injustice IL any. as
neither party had agent or representative pre-
sent and both pl0ws did well. Yet the trial, With
the award of the judges, is deemed Of suticirl!
importance to the interest Of agriculture a. u-t-
fy lis publication;
The award Of the judges was unanimously IN
favor of the Dixie on the following grounds,
lst 1t cut deeper iUrrough.
ID II cut Il wider Through.
3D. Ii mora citctual!y inverted the sod.
4th. The draft seemed ~ be no greater
9Th. The mechanical arrangement for altering
cut was deemed more simple and efficient.
At the conclusion OF the tris some OF theJ judge,
were So pleased NJ ~ determine IT, order them
for their own Use. j. NJ. Hurt Secretary.
| certify that the above WAS sent t. the Rich
mond Wing for publication by myself that
AM not acuuaintcd with Mr. Starke; that he had
never seen the paper and knew nothing 81 it.
contents, and WAS in no wise party 10 the trl.
OF plows alluded r..
January :. 1871. j. NJ. HURT.
We, the judges in the pillow Trial on the
farm of Mr.. +. G. Williams published in the
Wing, hereby certify that it Was directed I" hr
sent t. that journal rs :. communication hy the
Judges who made the award,
J. NJ HURT,
+. {. WILLIAMS,
w. Il. CHRlsTIAS.
}. 3. WILLIAMS,
January 9. 1871. JAS. ). GILLIAN.
do not believe in pillow trials made by the
manufacturers themselves, but hope that every
farmer will at once make full trial 81 the Dixie
with every plow he can find. anI buythat which
does the best work. ! have not been able IL sup
plv the demand. nor fill my orders for some
lime and must leave the field trials where they
rightly bel ong-to farmers themselves.
=. II. STARKE. l4i0 Main street.
New Market, Caroline County,
February ~ ISL.
p II. Starke, esq:
Dear Sir-Inclosed YOU will find = certificate
which I send you for your Dixie Plow. |
have been uctuated from other motive. but
alone from the merit Of the Plow. | fear the
certificate may be too lengthy for publication
should YOU desire t. but | felt Il desire u do
your Plow justice, and at the same time |" do
Watt no in Justice and show the reasons why
thought your P!"w the best. and my "pportuni-
ties for Judging OF the two Pl"wS. Iou r9.n
make such disposurc a You may choose 81 the
certificate l am very respectfully, Ne,
JonS II. TALIArEKRo.
Falls Church, Va. October -, $50.
Mr. A. r. Skinner. Alexandria:
Dear Sir: The Dixie flow bought ii you
the past season has given me entire satisfaction
after thorough test. | have used the hest
Northern Plows. and consider the "DiXic SUI
perior Ia any l ever used. Yours truly.
JOHN l.. kooN
For sale by ALBERT T. SKINNER,