Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1913-02-06
GOOD FARM TOOLS
ARE PROFITABLE
The Farm Determines The
Amount To Invest in Inn
proved Machinery.
GOOD STORAGE SAVES WASTE
The Farm Profit May Be Increased BY
Decreasing the implements
That Wear Out.

1t Is unnecessary to mention the
value OF machinery for the develop
ment of agriculture, for we are past
the stage when improved farm ma
chimes were looked upon as doubtful
investments. It is known fact that
the improved machine will give better
results in products and in most cases
shows a profit upon the money invest
ed In the machine. The type Of farm
Ing carried on and the size of the farm
determines the amount one can invest
In improved tools. There are too many
farmers who are afraid to invest in
improved tools. Oftentimes better
plow would have paid for itself in one
season, when labor was scarce and the
number Of seasonable days for blowing
few Do not be afraid to buy some
thing and make it pay for itself, in
stead of trying to make enough to pur-
chase 1t by halfway methods of farm
Ing. A day lost by breaking an old
machine means dollars lost in the busy
season of the year. The number who
buy more machinery than their farm
warrants are very few.
The number of tools and machines
one has does not lessen or increase
the care one should take in storing
each tool This is the time of year
when one should have all tools under
cover and not lying out in fence
corner, rusting and rotting away. The
only ones who will profit in the least
by the latter method are the imple-
ment manufacturers. On every farm
there should be tool and implement
shed in which is kept the farm ma
chinery whenever not in use. In this
should be kept paint, grease, oil and
repairs, such as bolts, taps, ETC., and
tools with which to make repairs. A
small forge and few blacksmith tools
should be kept on any large farm. Any
type of shed which has a good roof
and siding will do for storing farm ma
chinery, but the rather long, narrow
shed with side doors is most conve-
nient, for in handling heavy machinery
one wants to be able to get to it with
out moving the other machines stored
in the same shed.
The care of machinery has a great
effect upon it's time of usefulness, and
the perfection with which it works. A
plow should never be left with the
shovel in the ground overnight, but
should be carefully cleaned, leaving no
dirt upon the bright surface 1t If rains
during the Night so that work is de-
layed for a few days, man should
be sent to grease the bright surface
Of the pillow. Ordinary axle grease is
good for this 1t will keep the plow
free from rust and bright for some
time, and will slip off easily when one
begins blowing again. 1t is not best to
put on when the plow is to be stored
tor the winter, as it will be brushed off
in spots. Paints of the ordinary type
Is little better.
1t is an excellent plan to put heavy
oil or grease on all chains and cog
wheels of your mower, binder and such
machinery, and oil all parts well before
storing for winter. Clean this off well
when you next want to use the ma
chine and oil up with machine oil, and
the job of starting the binder will have
lost its horrors.
These winter days, when the farm
work is not heavy and you have some
spare time, are fine for an opportunity
to put a new bolt in the place of the
worn one or tighten the taps on the
binder or have the cultivator shovels
taken to the shop and pointed or fix
the wooden parts of machinery and,
perhaps, put on new coat of paint on
some of the older tools. You will find
you can do this work while you have
time to take trip to the shop much
better than you can next summer,
when every hour you put in the fields
means dollars and you are busy from
sun up to sunset. Do this now, and do
not forget it. You know the machine
that needs repairs and you were afraid
it was going to break down on you last
year when you were busiest. It will
next year.
Increase the profits of your farm by
decreasing the amount of machinery
you let rust and wear out each year.
A little grease and paint and good
shed are investments which pay 100
per cent interest. Have place for
every implement, and insist that it is
always placed there when not in use,
and you will save hours Of time lost in
looking for your machinery when
needed S. B. NUCKOLS,
College of Agriculture, West Vir-
ginia University.