The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1881-08-25
Steam Power for Farm Use.

There has been a wonderful advance
in the application of improved machin-
cry of all kind. to the various opera
tons of the farm. Those persons whose
experience reaches back twenty-five
years fully realize how much steam has
taken the place of brute force in d sug
the work OF the farm. The steam en-
CINE is rapidly becoming one of the
essentials on large farm, it being
found much more convenient and eco
nomical than horsepower. The uses
to which the farm engine can be put
are increasing rapidly, and this is one
of the best signs of a more intelligent
and thoughtful agricultural class.
There arc obvious reasons why steam
has made less progress upon our farms
than in England and other countries of
the old world, where population is
more dense, and more intensive agri-
culture is necessarily practiccd; but
sooner or later the yoke of oxen and
the team of horses will be in great
measure replaced by steam engine.
The progress that has been made in
the perfection of the farm engine with
in the last five years is something Won
derful. The great trouble which the
threshing men first experienced in the
application of steam as the motive
power in threshing grain was the diff
Guilty of moving the engine from place
to place, especially in a hilly country,
and on soft or uneven roads. This
difficulty was soon overcome by the
production of engines which applied
their own steam for their own prOpul-
sion.
Traction farm engines are now made
with q perfection of action little
dreamed of ten years ago. They no
longer require a large team to draw
them, hut move over ordinary roads
with safety and ease. Though not re-
quired for draft. team of horses is
usually attached to most modern farm
engines to prevent their frightening
teams upon the road-a strong objec-
ton to horseless moving engine and
the team also does away with all steer
ing apparatus, which was somewhat
complicated. The thresher can be
hitched behind, 80 that one team with
the engine does all the propelling work.
Threshing is only one of the many OPP
erations that can be performed by the
farm engine. 1t may be used for run
ming circular or other saw, for cutting
tirewood or lumber, turning a farm feed.
mill. cutting fodder, pumping water,
Smelling corn and many other opera
tions. If the farm is large one, it is
good economy to have a small engine,
situated in a small building some TWEEN
ty rods from the barn, and connected
with it by a wire rope running over
grooved wheels. This avoids any dan
ger that might arise by having the en-
CINE close by the barn, and it is a ready
source of power for MANY farm opera
tons.
There is one reason why the farm en-
CINE is not more rapidly introduced
namely, the lack of knowledge of the
workings OF Il steam engine, and there
fore the inability o; the average farmer to
run one at the outset, or at least to feel
at ease when responsible for the proper
working of an engine. 10 correct this,
the American farmer boy, though he
may be the most ingenious creature on
the face of the earth, should be taught
the fundamental laws and principles of
natural philosophy, the properties of
water and air, and the influence ofheat
upon those elements. To quote from
an able writer on this point: THAT
our boys have abundant mechanical
talent and inclination, there is no
doubt; and it would take little proper
teaching, with thorough understand
ing and appreciation of a few estab-
lisbed laws, to make every boy COM
petcnt to take charge of farm steam
engine. We may show by the most
convincing figures the great advantages
of steam over animal power; but SO long
as a farmers boy can care for and
direct the animals, while he must hire
a man to run an engine, he will be slow
to make the change"
It is certain that the common school
is the fountain from which the young
farmer must drink a good share of the
knowledge that he is to use in after
life, and only wish he might get the
instruction there that will aid him in
using the best implements which this
advanced age of mechanics has made
it possible for him to have at his dis
posal. 1t ought to be so that farm
engine need not be rejected on the
ground of inability to run it. As the
labor-saving implement is perfected, it
should have free course and make its
Importance fully felt. If there is an
equal progress in the use of steam on
the farm during the next five years as
in the five that are just past, the most
hopeful advocate of steam work over
the wearing out of the muscle of man
and beast viii be satisfied. Cor. Conn.,
try Gentleman.