The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1888-11-17
4 DEPARTURE IN AGRICULTURE.
a Leading Wlsconsi, Dairyman Opposed
To binding Grain.

To binding Grain.
Mr Hiram Smith. one of Wisconsin's
leading 'dairymen. has put himself on
record as being opposed 10 the general
practice Of binding grain. Tins is q
unique and startling depart urc from the
generally accepted notions Of agriculture.
With view to finding out what farmers
In other states think Of this idea the
editor Of The Rural New Yorker has sent
the main points claimed By Mr. Smith 10
O number Of correspondents.
Numbered with replies received is one
from r. + Terry. Ohio. who comments
somewhat In this wise IN the points Mr.
Smith makes ia favor Of his practice Mr.
Smith says:
1T takes three horses -on self binder
T. cHt the same grain two horses will cut
with a self rake reaper. loss Of one third
Of the power Mr. Terry replies: No
ono can dispute the truth Of this as a
general rule. The binding apparatus un-
doubtedly uses up f6lly one third Of the
power necessary 10 ran binder.
"BouYd grain takes three times as long
10 dry out as that left in the gaycl. says
Mr. Smith Mr.. Terry replies: Taking
this point by itself can fully agree with
our Wisconsin friend as regards oats and
rye About barley know nothing.
Mr. Smith. 1T takes double tie time
10 unload bundles by hand in tno barn
! than it does 10 unload loose grain with a
horse forl. Mr. Terry Although what
NJ Smith says on this point true there
are some other points in the sa.Ic Conuec-
tion 10 be Thought Of by Other farmers.
,uch as this matter OF loose grain liking
NOR. storage room TO Mr. Saith BE-
probably makes 10 difference how nueu
room IS taken. as BE- hae several large
.i,0s and puts his grain il them thus
making use If the room for two purposes
in year This is excellent management,
| bat many farmers have not got $50 far
9'ong The last sentence perhaps tells
/ The sorry Mr. Smith is away ahead #
most e rs. and what is the hes. for him
may MT Doe the bcs. Tor tho rest OF u.s. for
som iime yet
Mr Smith. There j. no Gainin thresh-
/ iug iu having grain bound TO this last
/ Mr. Tory remarks that IN bis. own OK
pcrieucc lIc has never been able 10 &c;
along nearly as fast rs On loose gran.
Another reply d. from Professor G. i.
4AIl wv VI ANAA.A.iA Do 49, AttAAaA'~ W. 80
/ lowing statements
IN answer TO the question concerning
| tn, cdvisability Of continuing the practice
OF binding grain. | may say ] believe the
advantages Of the practice much more
( than countegbalance the disadvantages foI
| this region. a self binding reaping ma
chino costs more and requires more power
/ than does an ordinary reaper or a moving
machine The cost Of binding Irvine Is
considerable. In cutting grain not yet
/ riucncd or when damp. or when there arc
many weeds mixed with e, there may be
/ some trouble in having the sheave5 DRY
out thoroughly in the center. On the
other hand q we'll managed self binder
viii cause less wastago OF grain than
when the grain is handled without bind
ing by any system with which ] an ac-
/ quaiuted. this saving fully cquaiing TIE
| cost Cf the Irvine. IN my observation.
In practice ~, have not found any scri'
ous trouble in having the sheayCs thor
oughly dry IN case of rainy weather
would prefer having the grain ia shocks
| OF vel bound .hcavcs, rather than in TN
bound shcavca or IN piles o. raked TO-
g,ther The shcaves are more easily
loaded on wagons and put in stack Of
barn I'm thrashing the bound sheaf is
decidedly preferable. We have recently
thrlshcd about 2.400 bushels of oats on
the University farms gave some per
sonal help i'm the Wort. and noticed Tire ana.
nOyancc which an occasional unbound
sheaf or the inevitable scattering gave
I decidedly prefer tho bound sheaves,
especially if tho oa,s are - Lc I'm
through d feed cutting kline
Amos universal practice is I~csump
I tive cgidenc. 3D. favor q binding grain
and I know no branch II farm wori.
concerning which J wolll base less hope
OF i.lI-,ng formers generally 90 cI-ngC
t4c.' rac-co than this