The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1873-07-16
Farm Machinery.
campaign

The warehouses of the country are filled |
with agricultural implements and machine
ry, much of it absolutely worthless and a
damage to the man who buys. On all |
sides we hear complaints from parties who
have paid high prices for reapers, mowers.
horse-rakes, tread-powers, threshers and
other implements that are SO badly con-
structed as to break down be fore they are
fairly tried. No doubt there are cases
where the careless and ignorant handling of
the machines is the responsible cause of its
failure. But aside from this cause our
farmers suffer enormous losses by the
recklessness of dealers and manufacturers.
1t is difficult for persons who reside in
towns, where all trades are in close prox-
unity, to realize the loss and inconvenience
suffered by even the slight breakage Of
machine. 1t may be part which the
blacksmith or carpenter can remedy, but
several miles must be Travelled to find one
of these. If the part must be replaced
from the factory it may require weeks or
even months to obtain it. Meantime the
work must be done by hand and at great
loss and disadvantage.
We had an experience of our own in this
way. We purchased two-horse tread
power of an honest and responsible dealer,
under a full warrantee. After repeated and
expensive trials it failed, by the confession
of all parties.
Another power of the same make was
then sent from the mandatory, and with
the same result. This occupied some six
months time, and we lost not only the use
of the power but of several expensive
machines designed to be worked with it.
Finally, another power from another
firm was sent, and it also proved wretched
failure, though not entirely incapable Of
doing work. With two good horses it was
made to cut cornstalks, saw wood to a
small extent and thrash out twenty-five
bushels of wheat in day, with the aid OF
five men. We kept an accurate account
with it, and the work done cost about four
times what it would if it had been done by
hand. We succeeded at last in getting it
back to the maker, after suffering loss and in-
convenience equal to twice its cost. We have
learned of many similar cases, though
rarely one so remarkable as our own in the
persistent failure of the many machines.
Some conclusions are fully justified by the
above facts.
First. Farmers should be exceedingly
careful 10 buy only of intelligent and
responsible dealers, and should require
all expensive machinery to be delivered and
set up and run for time by the seller.
The farmer should also require written
warrantee.
Second. Dealers should be exceedingly
careful in making purchases, and require
guarantees of the manufacturer.
Third. The laws should be so amended
as to give to the farmer direct and COM
plete remedies for all losses-not only oil
money, but time and consequential dam.
ages.
We would also urgently recommend
direct purchases from the manufacturer
as far as possible. 1t is also but justice t
say that we have examined with care tn
agricultural works at Richmond, and be
heve the work they are turning out to b
exceedingly durable. They seem to be il
the hands Of faithful and honest men, j
contrast. with large number of RECKLESS
firms elsewhere, who food the countr
with worthless tools.