The Fayette falcon. (Somerville, Tenn.) 190?-current, 1919-07-18


prepared by the United States Depart /
ment Of Agriculture)
When a farmer plans to thrash from
the field, engages a custom thrashlng
crew to do the work on a certain day
and the outfit does not appear until
three weeks after the specified time, is
1t any wonder that the countryman
makes few pointed remarks concern
ing custom thrashermen In general and
this one in particular?
Unrellabillty of custom thrashers,
labor complications which often arise
when two outfits reach neighborhood
the same day, the expense of custom
thrashing, the careless and extrava-
CANT work Of some hired machines, and
similar factors have caused grain
growers in the corn belt to organize
cooperative thrashlng rings for the
purchase, maintenance and efficient
operation Of thrashing machinery.
Benefits Of the thrashing ring are
shown in an instance reported by the
United States department of agrlcul-
turc. One large thrashing ring which
has been particularly successful and
which has met all expenses and paid
for itself In four years out of the mon
ey ordinarily paid by the members for
custom thrashing is the Up-to-Date
Thrashing company of Livingston
county, Illinois, which is composed of
ten members who own 10 farms. The
partnership capital originally totaled
1925, and the equipment included
20-horsepower steam engine, water
tank, a separator, with 34-inch cy-
Under, a corn shelter and second
hand sllage cutter, which has been re-
placed by new one. The total thrash
ing force usually employed In this
ring for field work consists of ten men
with teams to haul bundles; i've
pitchers In the field; three men with
teams to haul the thrashed grain; two
men to help unload the grain at the
barn: one man on the stack; one man
10 operate the stacker; one man to
clean ND about the machinery; one
water boy; and three men with the
thrashing outfit. This involves force
of q men. A ring of this size demands
capable management to insure sue
cess.
On Smaller Scale.
A smaller thrashing ring, organized
last year in Fayette county, Ohio, con-
sIsts of three landowners, whose part
nership capital consists OF $l,OOO'
which represents the cost Of a small
22-inch separator, with clover-seed
attachment the power being furnished
by a 1924 farm tractor. These farms
aggregate 400 acres Of small grain, q
title outside thrashing for hire being
done each year. Last year $500 bush
els of oats, 5000 bushels Of wheat and
100 bushels of clover seed were
thrashed. The ordinary crew was
made up of five men. with teams sno
wagons to haul bundles; two men
with 125-bushel wagon beds to hau
grain three miles; one man to manags
the outfit. and q boy to help. Bundle
wagons we're used to replace two OF
three field pitchers. while the use o.
gas engine also dispenses with tn'
wat,r boy. The engineer has time q
help considerably about the separator
with this small force this outfit wal
able TO thrash and deliver to the ele
vator. three miles distant. an averag'
u approximately $50 bushels OF whea
q day.
Smaller Units Favored.
During the last two or three year
the number of thrashing outfits sold Z
farm organizations has greatly IN
creased, and the tendency at presen
Is toward the formation Of smaller &C
operative units and the purchase o
small outfits. This comes from the ne
cesslty for more economical use Q
, labor and the advent Of the farm trat
tor, the power Of which can be we
utilized TO run a small thrashel
which, complete with wind stacker
r self.feeder and weigher. costs aoou
/ n 200. Most Of the farmers clubs or
, small. so that all members may g
/ their thrashing finished In about n
} teen days. All thrashing Is complete
: m seasonable time. 80 that the graz
|. NAV be saved to best advantage.
Advantage Of Rlnss
There are two general methods
ring cooperation. the most common U
yolving the hiring Of thrashing GU
al. the other Its purchase.
Thrashing rings are beneficial Ina
: much as the thrashing calendar IN
neIghborhood may be 80 arranged TN
the work can be carried out with q
least possible loss Of time In moyir
y from farm to farm. As q job neal
: completion the first men throug
:. knowing their assignments In the ne
: place. may go there Immediately al
: have the grain ready 70 thrash by q
: time the outfit arrives aud Is set q
D No time is lost either in eontraefii