The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-07-23
OPENING IN SOUTH AFRICA
A Chance for Americau-made
Farming Implements.
Prediction That British Rule VIII
Bring the Country an Era of Tn
prcccdcnted Prosperity-Nceds of
the Agricultural CInsscs-Nnchin-
cry That should BE Cheapened.

The possibility of extending our market
for agricultural implements in South AZ
rica is suggested by the following article
written by prominent merchant Of the
Orange River Colony and published in
recent number Of the British Trade Jour
nal" just received at the Treasury Bu-
reau of Statistics. Commenting upon
prospective trade opportunities in South
Africa, the writer says:
Il think all are agreed that now the
British flag is hoisted in Pretoria. declar-
/ ing Enthusiastically to the world Britain's
supremacy from Cape Town to Zambesia.
symbolizing security, justice. and equality.
/ that that country will soon enjoy an I'M
! precedented era of prosperity. I would
warn our manufacturers, especially agri-
| cultural implement makers, and those in
I kindred trades, to be first in the market.
+ Il appears somewhat invidiOus to single
out particular articles for special mention,
/ SO great will be the demand for all classes
of merchandise; yet it is imperative in
: the interests OF agriculture and agTicul-
| tural implement makers to state 4 few
| facts that have come within my personal
I experience. 1t has been too much the Gus
tom to send out to South Africa the same
class of implement that is selling in this
country. SUN policy Is stupid and ruin
| Gus.
ITO begin with plows. The sale OF these
/ is practically unlimited yet go to any
store in the Orange River Colony and you
| will find for every English-made pillow
| three or more from American and other
| foreign makers. Farmers declare in favor
of the American plows because they are
| lighter yet equally strong, less compli-
| Gated, lending themselves more readily to
| the undulating nature OF the land They
are better designed than the average Eng
| lish plow. The American pillow does not
I get out of order so readily as the English
made plow, for the simple reason that 1t is
less complicated. and it has not so many
springs. 1t is very possible that under new
conditions there will be an opening for
steam blowing. 4 few sets are already
/ working with success
With the exception OF a disc roller,
/ harTows and rollers are not much used as
yet. / think there should be a future for
the disc roller in breaking up newly
1 plowed land; and there is a great extent OF
| new land broken up every year for maize,
| on which the disc roller should be very
| effective. The few l have seen
| were of American make. Drills and sow
| ing machines should be cheapened and
simplified as much as possible. There can
| be but little doubt about the future de-
mand for these, because great and rapid
| Improvements will be made in the methods
OF farming out there once the country is
| settled down to its normal self, and after
| this war there is bound to be a large iii
fux of new blood.
For reaping and binding machines there
is a large market, SO far scarcely entered
upon by home manufacturers. for up to
the present time they have been supplied
| almost exclusively by American makers.
The potential market for these machines
machines a good finishing of with paint.
Paint goes a long way in South Africa in
helping to sell anything. Above all, they
must not forget to provide duplicate parts
at reasonable prices, pTocurable at con-
venient stores.
"Threshiug machines are mostly OF Brit
ish manufacture. Yet here, again, there
is room for vigilance. for | have heard
that one or two American threshins ma
chimes have been introduced The advice
offered as to lightness and compactness
of reapers and binders applies with even
| greater force in the case of threshers.
1.-The demand for portable engines has
been great In the past, but l think
the demand in the future will put into
the shade that OF the past, not alone for
threshing but in every other direction
where engines are necessary for the de-
veloping of a new country IL IS
the duty Of our manufacturers to prepare
for the great thrush of trade that must
follow the war"