Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-07-23
WHEN THE WAR is OVER
THERE WILL BE A MARKET FOR
AMERICAN MACHINES.
Big Demand in south Africa for Our
Farming Implements, which Are
Conceded to BE the Best.

The possibility OF extending our market
for agricultural implements in South At
RIGA is suggested by the following article
written by a prominent merchant of the
Orange River colony, and published in a
recent number of the British Trade Jour
Eal. just received at the treasury bureau
OF statistics. Commenting upon prospec-
tive 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 Capt Town to Zambesia,
symbolizing security. Justice and equality,
mat that country will soon enjoy an un-
precedented era of prosperity. 1 would
warn our manufacturers, especially agri-
cultural implement makers, and those in
Kindred trades, TO be first in the market
1t appears somewhat invidious to single
out particular articles for special mention
SO great will be the demand for all classes
OF merchandise; yet 1t is imperative in the
interests of agriculture and agricultural
implement makers to state a few facts
that have come within my personal expert
ence 1t has been too much the custom to
send gu: to South Africa the same class
of implement that is selling in this country,
Such policy is stupid and ruinous.
American PIow Better.
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
hghter yet equally strong, less complicat-
ed, lending themselves more readily to the
undulating nature of the land. They are
better designed than the average English
pillow. The American pillow does not get
out OF order so readily as the English
fnr he eli,
is less complicated, and 1t has not so many
springs. 1t is very possible that under
new conditions there will be an opening
for steam plows. A few sets are already
working successfully in the Transvaal.
with the exception of disc roller har-
rows and rollers are not much used as yet.
think there should be a future for the
disc roller in breaking up newly ploughed
land; and there is a great extent of new
land broken up every year for maize, on
which the disc roller should be very efrec-
tive. The few I have seen were of
American make. Drills and sowing ma
chimes should be cheapened and simpiifed
as much as possible. There can be but lit
tie doubt about the future demand for
these, because great and rapid improve
ments will be made in the methods of farm
ing out there once the country is settled
down to its normal self. and after this war
there is bound to be large influx OF new
blood.
Reapers and Binders Wanted.
tor reaplnS and blnding machines there
is large market, so far scarcely entered
upon by home manufacturers, for up 10 the
present time they have been supplied al
most exclusively by American makers. The
potential market for these machines is very
great. Makers should give machines
a good finishing off with paint. Paint goes
long way in South Africa in helping to
sell anything Above all, they must not
forget to provide duplicate parts at reason
able prices, procurable at convenient stores
'"Threshing machines are mostly Of British
manufacture. Yet here again there Is room
for vigilance, for l have heard that one or
two American threshing machines have
been introduced The advice offered as to
Hghtness and compactness of reapers and
binders applies with even greater force in
the case of threshers.
THE demand for portable engines has
been great in the past, but I think
the demand in the future will put into The
shade that of the past, not alone for thresh-
ing, but in every other direction where en-
gines are necessary for the developing of a
new country. 1t is the duty of our
manufacturers to prepare for the great
thrush of trade that must follow the war"