The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1911-02-15

consequence, when the farmer finds
that he just has to buy another tool
he rushes to the nearest dealer and
purchases such tools as that dealer
may happen to have in stock irrespec-
tive Of whether it is the best imple-
ment for it's purpose or not. The re-
suit Of this method of purchasing is
that there are many implements to
be found upon our farms that are not
best suited for the work that is being
done with them, the result being in
ferior work and less quantity than
the investment warrants.
Most Implements Should'Last Is or
20 Years.
But there is another even worse
defect in the average farm practice
of the South in regard to implements,
that is so common that it almost
ceases TO attract attention of those
who are familiar with farm condi-
tions. Even where there has been a
investment in improved
implements, it is very rare that any
thing like adequate buildings and
sheds have been provided for their
protection, and it is a distressingly
common thing to see implements.
even such expensive ones as mowers
and binders, left in the field where
they were last used, until the season
comes around for use again. AS a
there is delay in start
ing the next time. Some of the parts
are found to have rotted or rusted
so badly that they will not do their
work, and a repair bill is necessary.
The necessity for these repairs not
only involves a delay in doing the
work, but an additional expense. So
we'll is this habit of neglecting the
implements understood by many
manufacturers that they can we'll af-
ford to sell the original implement
at cost, knowing that they will soon
reap a rich reward in the profits from
the sale of repairs. Of all the leaks
on our Southern farms this is one
for which there can be the least ex-
cuse and which can be most readily
rem edied. Most of the farm imple-
mcnt on the market today are well
made ot thc most lasting material.
anu ia the main should last FROM Ia
60 20 years If given even moderate
care. The first step toward giving
this care should be the providing Of
ample sheds and houses to protect
them from the weather when not in
use.
How to Build q Tool Shed.
While any shelter is better than
exposure to the weather, yet much
better results will be obtained if this
shelter is built especially for the
purpose, not only with an eye for
convenience Of access, but also with
the idea of making it easy to get the
implements in and out Of the shelter.
If the tools are piled up on each
other, in the busy season it will re-
quire too much time to put them
back, and as a consequence they
will he left standing in the yard until
more convenient time, and the
first thing We know all are outside.
About the most convenient form of
shelter is shed II to 15 feet wide.
open on both sides and as long as is
necessary to get all of the imple-
ments into it without crowding. BY
having this shed open on both sides
1t Is as easy to drive under it to un-
hitch as to leave the tool outside. If
the caves are made as low as can be.
still leaving room for a mule to go
under, such tools will be well pro-
tccted from constant wetting and
from the hot sun, and there will be
no excuse for leaving them out If
there is danger of the water from
the caves Of this shed running under,
this can be avoided by raising the
dirt floor or by scoping shallow
bitches on each side so as to lead the
water away. The ends of the shed
can be encloed so as to protect
such tools as are placed there, from
the weather. one end Of this shed
can be divided into a room for small
hand tools and for the storage Of
harness. If this harness room is
provided with pegs upon which to
hahg each set Of harness and the
habit Is made of hanging it there
each time it is removed from the
ANNA, much confusion will be
avoided. Keep the harness and small
TOOLS locked up, with the key in the