The Washington times., 1902-05-26
Increase in Importation of
Agricultural Tools.
REPORTS OF U. S. C0NSULS
Numbers of American Made Binders,
Mowers, and Reapers Arrive at Havre
Every Week by Steamers of French
Line-0ther Goods From This
Country.


France speak of the gratifying increase
in the Importation of agricultural ma
chinery from the United States.
Consul Thackara. OF Havre. says that
numbers of our mowers. reapers, and
binders arrive weekly at that port by
the steamers of the French line. Along
the Loire River our farming machines
are in use everywhere. and the men
who use them say that in every instance
they do their work well. are much
more economical than the old-fash-
ioned harvesting methods. and that the
investment is a good one for the owner.
Agricultural implements bearing an
American name are found at every
county fair. says Consul Covert, OF
Lyons. and are highly priced. Repre-
sentatives of mower and reaper and
OF steam engine firms In the United
States have recently established a good
business in that section.
Conditions of French Trade.
The Importation of our rakes. plows,
harrows. drills. and, in fact. nearly all
farm implements. adds Commercial
Agent Griffin, of Limoges. is a growing
trade. Our manufacturers. nevertheless.
would meet with even greater sue
cess II they made an attempt to study
the conditions of the French trade, or
to adapt their machines 10 French re-
Quirements. Grain and hay are cut dIf-
ferently in France. and the stubble is
much shorter. and the hay OF finer quail
ity than in America. Another fact to
be borne In mind is that oxen and COWS
are generally used on farms, instead of
mules and horses; consequently, the
gearing Of the machincs must be adapted
to the slow pace of these animals.
Hard to Get Skilled Labor.
Consul Tourgce. of Bordeaux, notes
that. although there is also In that
region a steady enlargement In the num-
Der of implements OF American make
imported, 1t is almost impossible to get
the ordinary French laborer to operate
them with that skill and efficiency which
arc almost instructive with the Amer
lean farmer. This is in a great measure
due 70 the fact that every American
laborer Is to pronounced degree a
mechanic as well as farmer. When O
bolt breaks or a nut is lost he hunts
about in his toolbox or workroom for
something to take Its place. and In q
short time his team is, In most cases,
doing its work again.
Not So With Frenchmen.
Not SO with the French laborer. He
has neither the skill nor the desire to
mend the tool he uses. nor even to
keep It in reasonable repair. That is
the business Of other tradeemen-the
blacksmith. the cartwright. the mech
anician. :he painter. The French work
man has no interest in labor-savin de-
vices. In the park opposite the con-
sulate. continues Mr.. Tourgee, men are
at work all summer long clipping the
too lnxurisnt heritage.
What are the implements they use
Lawn mowers? Not at all. They arc
scythcs, the blades of which are Ave
inches wide at one end tapering to q
point at the other; are sharpened by
being pounded to an edge on a small
anvil. and have snath made OF
limb Of tree. with short branch |
cut at convenient length and interval
for tholepin. Seeing this OUTFIT, one
is irresistibly impelled to look IT over
for the trademark OF Tuba Cain & |
CO. There is no demand on the part OF |
such laborers for improved implements.
One American workman will do as much |
as four OF these. and IL Is because OF |
this fact that American producers can |
turn out work at less price than their |
French competitors. although wages |
are far higher"
Brooms and Rubber Shoes.
American brooms and rubber shoes. |
adds Consul Tourgee. have made their
appearance in Bordeaux in such numbers |
during the past two years as to seem ia
miliar. Our shoe machinery is used
in the largest shoe factory In France
(situated in Limoges). and s2so.ooo worth
Of American dressed hid skins were i'm |
ported into that region in 1900 for the |
OF shoes
There is a demand In France, says Mr.. |
Thackara, for American oii-burping |