The Ozark spectator., 1917-08-29
MUST TAKE CARE OF
 FARM IMPLEMENTS
Where Can Be Too Much Farm Ma chlnery Just as Well as Too Little
 --Elther Must 1e Avoided.
By v. H. Kern. Specialist in Farm mn- plements, Extension Division,
 University Of Arkansas.

caring for and using farm machinery are subjects to which the average farmer should pay more real atten- ton. He should realize that the pur- chase of farm machinery Is as much of business proposition as the pur- chasing of pure bred bull or pure bred Duroc-Jersey hog. The farmer does not buy the pig merely for the sake of having the pig, but he makes an investment from which he intends to realize the greatest proft. The better the farmer cares for the pig. the more net gain he realizes from his in- vestment Farm machinery is also an indispensable means of profit, and the more care taken in selecting, using and caring for farm implements, the more will be the net earnings. and the most economic agriculture Is not pos sible until the right kind of efficient labor and time-saving implements as the farm warrants is used.
 Too Little Machinery to the Farm.
 There can be too much farm ma chinery just as we'll as too little. Either is to be avoided, and the sys- tenn of crop rotation and the labor problem will largely determine the amount of machinery necessary. Al . general rule we find too httle machin- cry to the farm in Arkansas If farm ing conditions are such that two-horse implements cannot be used, those con- dttions should be changed.
 implements an Index to Advancement
 of Community.
 The kind of farm implements is an index to the advancement of a com munity From the pony blow, solid sweep, middle buster community with inadequate schools and churches we pass to more highly developed coun- try with adequate schools, efficient teachers and churches Of which the community Is proud. The proper types, use and care of farm imple- ments helped to accomplish this.
 Points to Observe In Purchasing
 Implements.
 To most farm implements the fol- lowing purchasing points should be applied. bearing in mind that we are making an investment from which we expect dividend.
 Efficiency of the machine Is to be considered first of all. What is the quality of the work that it will do7 How much can be accomplished! The machine should be selected with this In view, that the greatest possible amount of efficient work may be squeezed from the implement.
 Construction of the machine should be noted. VIII the implement stand up under the strain for at least eight years. which should be the average life with reasonable care and housing ' The implement manufacturer puts out a new machine and finds some parts are of weak construction When this is called to his attention he reinforces these parts If his aim is to help the farmer. If it is not. he allows the farmer to sutfer the loss, and in the long run both are the losers.
 The farmer is justified in not grab ping the untried and newest machine put on the market. If 1t is an expert ment he can afford to wait short while untfl 1t is tried out If it proves success as a time and labor saver he should not be the last to lay aside old methods and adopt new.
 Of two equally desirable imple- ments, select the one for which re- pairs can most readily be obtained. Time worth hundreds of dolaIrs can easily be lost because of inaccessibil. i ity to repairs Purchase implements made by reliable manufacturers.
 Keeping machine in proper repair will materially lessen Its final expense and give the owner greater satisfac- tion. Ealing wire may serve as . re- pair part 10 finish the days work in some instances. but do not try to make it take the place of the part broken. You may run the cost of upkeep of the machine into dollars instead of ! cents. Keeping in proper repair in. cludes tightening loose nuts, oiling to lessen wear and produce less draft.
 Proper Care Means Money Saved.
 Even with our inadequate supply of farm implements there are some $25,- 100000 invested in this state, Annu, ally the farmers lose $2.0o0. 900, as nearly as 1t can be estimated with the present data. Were the farmer com pelled to pay 15 to 20 per cent interest on borrowed money he would feel un- justly treated. but farm implements. from the cheapest blow to the. thresh CT, are in most instances left in the weather the year around Instead of lasting eight years or more. very often two or three years Is the life of those implements. If shed room can not be provided, the implements should be painted and oiled at the end of the season. Even though a shed is ac- cessible, all wearing surfaces should