Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1911-01-31

Probably there is no waste on the
American farm greater In its extent than
that OF the destruction OF farm imple-
ments through a failure TO house and
care for them properly. II Is no un-
common sight 10 see implements OF ev-
cry description standing in the field just
where they were last used. In our eli
mate, where the rainfall is heavy, rust
ing and corroding proceed very rapidly.
so rapidly, in fact. 10 astonish one
who will take the trouble TO investigate.
for a piece OF iron left out during the
winter season will likely have the paint
mostly washed off of II and viii be COW
cred with coating OF rust OF sufficient
thickness to leave fine scales in the
hands when rubbed over its surface
Il is needless to say that the piece OF
iron has been considerably weakened by
its exposure. and this being true. II is not
surprising that when the implement Is
brought into use the next time. IL Is
noted that the castings OF other parts OF
IL break more readily than they should,
and the farmer Is left without the means
Of carrying on his work and must go TO
the expense OF purchasing some costly
repairs Undoubtedly the life of many an
implement which should give service for
ten years does not cover more than half
Of that period and this result is largely
due to the fact that they were not
housed and properly taken care OF
MISTAKE Is MADE
There seems TO be a general impression
that Il is cheaper TO buy new ma
chine than to take care Of the one In
hand This Is a very sad mistake; be-
sides the farmer who takes no care OF
his implements viii not have a proper
pride in their operation and viii fail TO
secure value received from their use.
n he were 10 house them and familiar
ne himself with their mechanism and
the principles on which they work, he
would take more interest in their opera
ton and become more skillful in their
use
shelter suitable for the protection
OF farm implements can be built at
very small cost Some OF the prepared
roofinxs now on the market may be used
10 cover IL and few rough boards nay
be used to make the side and ends. III q
shed fifteen or twenty feet wide is built
IL will not need TO be closed in. since
IL should be erected with it's back 10 the
prevailing wind. There is not q farmer
who could not afford 10 provide all the
shelter needed for his implements. Ex-
Acuse for the practice now followed must
be found. therefore. In some other direc-
jon
OVERHAUL IMPLEMENTS.
The winter season is the most desirable
me 10 0Fernaul All implements anu put
ZEN IN condition for the next seasons
ork The writer has observed on hun
reds Of occasions that farmers die not
now that the binder. the mower. the
ay rake and probably the pillow itself
was not IN condition to use until the
day they needed it. Then some part was
lacking. meaning a trip TO town. several
miles away, OF II the repairs were not
carried there, the writing OF letter to
some distant point and the loss OF sew
era1 days valuable time in waiting for
what should have been secured and ad-
5usted months before
II costs no more. to buy repairs at one
season than another. but il may mean
the saving Of the crop to have them on
hand just when needed. The fact OF
tire matter is, every progressive farmer
should lay in a lot Of supplies He
should keep extra pieces Of all the wear
ing parts OF every implement on his
place.
& little shop viii be a valuable Access
sion and will enable him to make many
repairs which now cause him serious de-
lay and the outlay of a considerable
amount of money The question always
arises. can the farmer AFFORD it7 Few
people seem TO consider the converse OF
the question. Can the farmer AFFORD to
neglect IL. The small farmer viii con-
tend that he has not the necessary cap
stall. but IL he is TO operate his imple-
snents the repairs must be bought one
tine OF another. and why not at time
when they will insure him against loss
and delay. IL is surprising how much a
man may accomplish in the way OF put
ting implements In good order with the
most meager kind Of equipment True.
much more may be done where the
equipment is more efficient, but there is
no reason or argument in the claim so
frequently made that the farmer Is too
poor 10 help himself When a man gets
into that condition he is hopeless.
SHOULD BE REPAINTED.
During the winter season all nipple
ments should be reprinted IL costs
very little to buy some OF the cheaper
grades OF paint and with an ordinary
brush all the implements may be re-
coated and thus prevented from rusting,
while the wooden parts will be preserved
from decay as well The mere fact that