Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1918-06-07

ing mechanism, grinding them out and
causing a high repair bill unless unusu-
al precaution is taken to prevent this
excessive wear. Many dealers remove
the oiling device for the driving gear,
claiming the grease carries the sand,
causing the parts to grind out in very
short time.
The question OF cheap, efficient en-
gineers is one that must DE solved in
order that the tractor be the most sue
cessful In the majority of cases where
the owner has operated his own machine
and has a fair amount of engineering
skill, the tractor has paid its own way
and more. We believe the problem of
the tractors success is directly connect
ed with the knowledge of the operator
and a great many owners have not the
necessary ability as engineers. The
misuse or neglect of the engine has
caused many a failure. The owners re-
port that common farm labor, the negro,
may be taught to drive the engine with
some skill. but must be watched a great
deal of the time. Some owners report
an enormous repair bill for a very short
period of time. indicating carelessness,
and condemning all tractors as impracti-
cable on account of their ignorance.
In answer to the question as 10 the
number of mules and men replaced, the
men finding their investment a failure
report none rplaced by the tractor while
the other contingent report many re-
placed and others kept the old outfits
and depend on the tractor for additional
service and better deep blowing and use
the engine for stationary work as well.
In many instances farmers report that
they have greatly increased the yields
OF fields containing stones and with a
loamy soil by using disc plows set deep
and pulling them with the iron horse.
Under ordinary conditions, and with The
ordinary tools, it is only possible to
scratch around on the top of such soil
and no one can make land yield without
proper preparation.
None report that the tractor wheels
pack the soil, even where it runs in the
bottom of the furrow, unless the ground
is wet, and under those conditions it is
not advisable to work the soil at all,
especially the clay soils of north and
central Georgia.
Type of soil. If sandy, be sure all
driving mechanism is able to withstand
wearing action of sand or is thoroughly
protected.
Different uses to which a tractor can
be put. AS rule. it doesn't pay to own
a tractor for few small jobs.
The stability of tractor on hillsides.
Be sure ii will not turn over.
Design of the driving mechanism. 1t
must stand up under the severest Of
conditions.
Fuel. If designed to burn kerosene,
be sure it will burn kerosene.
Engine. The design of a kerosene
burning engine is different from that
burning gasoline.
Operator. Every prospective pur-
chaser should have in mind some per-
son with experience or one who can
readily acquire knowledge concerning
gas tractors.
Air strainer Every tractor should
have an effective arrangement for keep
ing sand or dust from entering the en-
CINE cylinder through the gas intake.
Land pressure per square inch. If the
machine is to be used on soft land or
land that is soft a part of the time, the
pressure per square inch of the driving
wheels on the land should be low.
Bearings If the tractor is to be used
in sandy soil. be sure there is adequate
provision for keeping out the sand from
the bearing surfaces.
Why there are not more tractors IN
Georgia. (Reasons given by tractor
owners themselves)
Lack of experience"
They want to do as their fathers
did"
Inability to secure competent oper-
ators."
"wiu not stand up in sandy soil"
Cotton farming"
Lack of capital"
THE fact they don't know what they