Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1897-03-30
A RsPAlR-sAoP ROOM NEEDED ON
EVERY FARM.

n HEPAlH-SSOP HUM NeeOcO ON
EVERY FARM.
FARMERS HIRE TOO MUCH MECHANICAL
WORK PAINTING A BuILpING.-rAK-
ING STITCHES OF REPAIR IN TINE.
One way In which farmers can ecouo-
mixe during this period Of low prices
for farm products Is by learning to do
more of their oan mechanical work
themselves. Too many farmers depend
entirely upon trained and high-priced
workmen for every sort OF repairing
needed on the farm, as well as for all
new work. have no prejudice against
skilled laborers, In many cases their
labor Is the cheapest, even ut the CON-
parstively high prices demanded. II
has often been said, and with truth, that
poor mechanic will waste more than
his wages through mistakes, or lack OF
judgment In cutting up stock. But
there IL great deal OF so-ca,led me
chanical work To be done on every farm
that any man of ordinary ability might
easily learn to do, and that too, In a
workmanlike manner.
4
learn in this direction Is plain painting
on the outside Of buildings. III one has
had no experience II might be well to
hire one man who has, and work with
him till sufficient skill Ia acquired to go
alone. But that ought not 10 take very
long. IL Is a simple operation TO thin
down white lead with oil TO the proper
consistency 10 spread well on the out
side wall; OF n house, barn or other
building. II color Is to be used enough
paint should be mixed at once 10 do the
whole building, or weighed amount OF
each ingredient mixed and record
kept for reference. In
USING STRONG coLoRs
most novices get In too much for the
white and so have darker shade than
they intended. To avoid such mistakes
nut the color In little at time, and try
bv brushing over few squsre fe'
OF the surface to be painted. BE sure to
mix thoroughly, however, before test
ing It. Dry color Is apt TO work In
slowly, being inclined TO float on the top,
in which case brushful taken from
the surface may have more than an
average amount OF color. IL IL we'll for
this reason TO let the paint stand day
or so after mixing before using. As oil
Is q specially valuable part Of outside
paint like TO have the first coat quite
thin so that IL will work freely into the
wood The more oil there Is absorbed
by the wood the better IL will be pre-
served. Beginners are ap, TO leave
places untouched BY the brush, and TO
drop and waste the paint. The under
! side Of clapbosrds are often not entirely
covered. and windows get spattered
more or less. but a naturally neat person
will soon learn TO avoid such errors.
Most MASTER painters employ on plain
work apprentices or cheap men. charg-
ing full prices for no better work than
the farmer aud his men could do after n
little practice.
Then In the matter Of repairs many
farmers depend almost wholly on high
priced workmen 10 do what they ought
10 be able 10 do themselves. | am glad
10 see that educators are beginning TO
see the Importance Of training the hand
al the same time the mind is being
developed. In every large manufictur-
ing establishment there has to be a
repsir-shop In connection for making
the little repairs that are needed. A
similar arrangement IL as much needed
on the farm as in factory. | never could
see how farmer living mile or more
from village can get along without u
shop-room with bench and a few
common tools for making ordinary re-
pairs. have heard Of farmer loading
up
A WHOLE BARN DOOR
aud hauling Ii to his blacksmith TO have
a hinge repaired, when, with good
monkey wrench he could in ten minutes
had he thought Of IL have taken of the
hinge at home and carried that alone
in his hand. Country mechanics often
smile at what seems like simplicity, or
more likely stupidity, in farmers who
bring jobs TO their shops, as also do
lawyers at the foolishness OF conten-
tious neighbors who seem almost glad TO
pay them fat fees for helping TO settle
useless quarrels.
have many times during the busy
season saved two miles travel and the
tine OF men snd team by doing fifteen
minute joh with bit-stock and wrench
and bolt or two. The blseksmith's
bill might not have been more than a
dime or 80, but the loss at the farm
would have equalled the cost OF one or
more tools that would last lifetime.
Not unfrequeutly horses shoe while at
work is found a little loose or the
clinches get up so that they cut the skin
on the opposite leg. With block Of
iron or steel, small hammer and fiat
file, the shoe may be fixed 80 IL will last
several days or till worn out. A farmer
who can't do little job like that and
even replace a nail IL need be, ought not
10 own a horse. Then how often farm
ers and others take harness away TO
have rip sewed up, and wait for ii
long enough To have done Ii themselves
had they had the 30 cents worth OF tools
required and little skill in their use.
There are TOO many idle rainy days on
some farms. sm not at this time going
70 enumerate the tools that every
farmer should have. Let him but de-
termine TO have what he does need and
place TO keep and use them, and will
trust him TO make the selection. But by
all means give the boys chance to
learn the use Of common carpenters
tools. Do not scold them II at first they
spoil some boards and waste few
nails. 1t costs something to learn a
trade anyway. Encourage careful prac-
tice and Improvement will surely follow.
The result will be that many dollars will
be saved that in too many cases Ito
enrich the mechanic at the expense OF
the farmer.-New England Farmer.