Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1900-11-27
CARE AND COST OF FARM MACHINERY
A LkAk ON MANY FARMS. MOVING
MACHINE IN Use FOR IL YEARS

IL takes quite SUN Of money 10 fit uI
q farm OF $50 acres in New Eugland witt
suitable farm machinery, wagons, farm
ing tools, etc. Some articles in the lasl
somewhat elastic item might perhaps b
dispensed with, such ss small black
smith forge with few tools. and a small
kit OF carpenters tools, but II msu has
ingenuity enough to make good sled
stake or properly sharpen fence post,
these tools will soon pay their cost. II
has been but few years since the farm
Ing tools OF the average farmer were ex.
tremely limited In amount and expense
In comparison with the tools and their
cost at the present time.
l can well remember when an OF cart,
cast Iron plough, an A shaped harrow
with 2 or l3 teeth, scythe and hand rake,
some shovels and forks nearly or quite
completed the outfit. The change has
been rapid and radical one. The ina
chinery which at first seemed TO be bit
of extrsvsgsnce Is now sn absolute
necessity, and the question to-day is,
how much machinery can the farmer
use 10 advantage. And right here Il n
problem which is not always solved with
the best OF judgment. Many farmers
buy too much machinery, and some not
enough. Those who buy too much do
not stop 10 think that the interest on the
money for machinery ths, is not much
needed, aud the loss by usage and probs-
bly lack OF care, would 90 long ways
toward doing the work ey hand, and the
cost of the machine could be used In
stopping an interest leak somewh here.
On the other hand stinginess In denying
ones self needed machinery on the farm,
or handy appliances for the good wife
In the house Is far from being economy.
AT the present time labor is the cost
hest thing that the farmer buys, and
good judgment is needed 70 know when
machinery can be made 10 take the place
OF hand labor 10 good advantage.
Another important matter In connec-
ton with farm machinery Is Its proper
care. The moving machines, horse
rakes and wagons OF hundreds OF farm
ers would last twice as long as they now
do, IL they were kept in good order and
well housed when not In use. The NOW
ing machine for instance, needs constant
attention TO keep the nuts well tighten
ed, the bearings oiled and the sections
sharp. A dull scythe not only delays
the team, but causes undue friction, and
useless wear on the machine. III the
scythe gets dull In an hours run IL Is
the best Of economy TO put In q sharp
one, or even 20 stop the team and grind
the one that has become dulled.
IL Is throwing away good money 10
leave having machinery Ia the field dur
ing the entire hsying season. The dews
ana rains will soon spoil the best ma
chine. III the tield IL TOO far from the
10 bring up the machinery
every night, il Is economy TO build =
cheap shed for all OF the tools.
When was taking out my horse rake
for the present season one OF the men
that had 4 new rake. The
fact IL IL has been In use for twelve
years. The present season makes four
teen years that have used my six-foot
cut mower, With less than three dollars
Of cost for bresksge during the entire
time, and 10 has cut 81 average cf nifty
or sixty tons OF hay each year. and some
Of II on rough land. The machine IL
now doing first-class work. On one OF
my western trips large dealer Ia sgrt
cultural implements In northwestern
Iowa told me that the average life OF \
reaper In that section OF the country
WAS only three years and half. But
these machines are universally housed
iu the Lords shed, or on the happy side
OF = wire fence. There Is Sn un~ritten
law in most portions OF the west, that
suy farmer who will house his farm ma
chinery shall be prosecuted for cruelty
TO farm machinery agents. But one
does not need to travel outside OF New
20 see this wssteful practice OF
leaving farming tools and machinery at
he mercy not only of the summer dews,
but OF the satumn rains and winter
frosts and SHOWS. The farmers who fol-
.ow this practice are the men who are
sure 10 complain Of hard times, sud say
hat farming don't psy.-Airror and
Farmer.