Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1902-12-04
Very Few of Them are 4 in
Russia, Germans - ding
the Trade
MAKES SUPERIOR
Russians, However, Have Prejudice
Against Any Kind of Plow That
Must Be Guided-lnterestins lnfor-
nation Received at the State De-
partnent on the Subject.

Special to Times Republican.
Washington. d. c., Dec. 4.-The state
department has recently received some
interesting information about Russian
agricultural matters and along with
other things it is noted that our fam-
Gus American plows are unknown in
Russia, altho it seems difficult TO De-
lieye that agricultural Russia can be
so far behind the times as not to know
our plows, and there does not seem to
be any reason why our manufacturers
farmers for the superiority OF the
American steel soft center plow is un-
iversally admitted. AS rule, 1T pol
ishes like mirror and scours in ali
kinds of soil The shape of the mold
boards is such that it turns the furroW
completely over with the least friction.
while the German plow, so popular in
Russia drops the furrow before it is
turned entirely over and prevents the
plow from running smoothly. The
of the Russian plow. Manufacturers
confirm this statement in regard to the
lack of success the American ploW
has had in Russia. One firms says
that during 1901 it sent two men TO
travel in Russia, but the result was
an absolute failure. The men reported
that they were unable to sell any plows,
nor did they see any plows OF American
manufacture during their stay IN the
country. 1t will be understood that TINS
statement does not include cultlvators
for garden use. ETC., as the American
cultivator has been sold in Russia for
fully twenty five years, and is both Well
and favorably known.
With the conceded superiority of the
American plow, the question naturally
arises, Why has it made no progress
| in Rurria? The usual definition OF
plowman given in the dictionaries is,
.'one who pIows or holds and guides u
plow." This definition would not hold
/ auod Il i..,as.a, becausa accorc ag II
the department report, tile man neither
holds nor guides the plow; the plow
guides itself. The German plow prac
tically holds the market The Russian
plow is of the same pattern and sells
for about the same price. 1t should
be noted that these plows have a car
riage in front which supports the beam,
and when once the plow is started il
is not necessary to either hold or guide
it. The best American plow could not
compete successfully with the German
and Russian prices.
The duty is by weight and amounts
to more than one cent per pound. Both
the German and Russian plows are in
ferior to the American, but it shoulo
be remembered that we want trade
and while patient effort would certain
ly bring success to our plow among
the weather. class of the farming pop
ulation, this success will hardly be
widespread. Every country has its
own customs, and the Russian farme,
will not use a plow which does not
guide itself. 1t is for our manufac-
turers to decide whether it is worth
while to attempt to overcome this
prejudice, or to let the market remain
with the Germans. 1t ought not to be
beyond American skill to put heel or.
the American plow, to apply a pair
of wheels on an axle and attach the
same to the beam, thus to all intenta
and purposes giving the Russian mar
ket what it desires.
The Russian farmer likes two. three.
four, and even five share plows, because
they do more work, requiring addition
al horse power, but not additional men.
Sulky plows could be sold, and, in fact,
have been sold but their high price
will prevent their general Introduction.
Plows can be purchased at prices ran
ging from So up to $40. I have not at
hand the latest statistics relating to the
importation of plows. but in 1899 Ger
many sent to Russia about $65O.0oO
worth, Austria $4,000, England $1,000,
the United States $4,000, and France
$1,000. These figures are tribute to
German energy, as well as rebuke to
other manufacturing nations. Our man
ufacturers can capture the major part
of the plow trade of the country, but it
will take both time and money to do it.
A Russian newspaper states that ten
carload lot of American plows is en-
route for the Russian market and this
may be taken as a hopeful sign. A man
behind the plow is not required, but a
man with the plow is an absolute me-
cessity for its sale. The man who sells
a plow in Russia must be able to work
it and must believe in it. Such man
passed thru Odessa. from which the re-
port was sent. during the present year,
and as he had taken the precaution to
ship few plows ahead and found them
there on his arrival he was in a position
to demonstrate what they could do. The
man was an enthusiast and his success
was Immediate. The plows Sold it is
said. were sulky plows. In conversation
with him, it was mentioned that the
high price would probably prevent
sales.
The agent insisted that given an op-
portunlty to show what his plow could
do, he could sell them at his own price. |
He was quite right; he sold the few he
had with him and ordered many more. |
tho he admitted that the number which |
he could dispose of would be limited. |
The Russian style of plow will be re-
garded as in every way inferior to their
own models, and so may not impress
our manufacturers favorably. It is i'm
portant. however that they should be
studied and used as models for the RUS
sian market.