Milford chronicle., 1920-11-05
CARE OF FARM IMPLEMENTS
SAVES hANY REPAIR BILLS
PLOW. BASIC TILLAGE TOOL, ENTITLED
TO PROPER CARE WHEN NOT in
USE SHOULD Be
STORED IN SOME DRY PLACE
WHEN LAID BY SOME SIMPLE RULES
FOR THE PREVENTION OF THEIR
DETERIORATION.

In this Gay OF conpliCdteu AuaShih-
cry most farmers probably give little
thought to the care of so simple an
implement as a pillow. But more effort
has been expended in the slow pro-
! cess of developing this seemingly
simple tool than in that of any other
| implement on the farm. 1t is the bas-
ic tillage tool, the fundamental farm
implement, and it is richly entitled to
be properly cared for when not in use.
Should BE Stored in Dry Place
When laid by, say the implement ex-
perts, the plow should. if possible. be
stored in a dry place, away from
contact with the ground. In any case,
the bright parts should always be
coated with grease to prevent rust.
Once the mold board and share have
become pitted with rust. an efficient
job of plowing can not be done until
the corroded parts again have acquir-
ed-a polish by use.
The United States Department of
Agriculture, of course, does not stop
with the plow in its admonition in
this regard. Harrows. also relatively
simple but tremendously important
implements, are, next to plows, most
generally neglected Many farmers
who would not neglect an expensive
harvesting machine, say the experts,
are careless as to harrows and other
implements Of this type. But these,
also, represent capital invested. and
a larger. return is possible if they are
properly cared for at the end of the
season.
If harrows are stored under shed,
the teeth should be supported by
blocks or boards, so that they will
not become embedded in the ground.
All accumulations of earth and trash
should be removed. This is especially
applicable TO wOoden-frame harrows.
The earthly acumulations retain mois-
ture and accelerate decay. When the
wooden parts have dried out sufiici-
emily they sholld be painted, to pre-
vent season checking and splitting.
As the harrow works in wet earth and
close to the ground, deterioration is
rapid once checking has started.
If the disk harrow is stored in a
shed or other floorless building. the
disk gangs should be run upon boards
81 lAAG uAcho Will AAQA 4ENOAh0 NAAABNA-
ded in the ground Whether housed
or not, the implement should be care
fully cleaned of all acsumulations of
soil. and the disks sholld be creased
with a heavy grease tc prevent rust.
The paint, particularly on the wooden
parts. should be renewed frequently.
Get the Mower UndeF Shelter
Mowers, more generally than plows
and harrows, are put under shelter,
but many of them spend the winter
at the edge of the meadow where the
last cutting of hay was made, and in
most cases they are no. properly
creased, even when shelteled. Get the
mower under shelter if POSSIBLE. In
any case, clean the knife bar, wipe it
with a greasy rag, and store in a dry
place. Place a block of wood or other
support under the mid-pOint of the
tongue, so that it will not acquire a I
permanent sag. If the mO'Eer is stor- Z
ed with the cutter bar inFa vertical /
position, place a black of wood under /
the shoe to take the weight off the /
frame. All accumulatiOns of vege-
able matter and dirt should be re-
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bright parts of the machine oiled or
creased. Much the same rules apply
o reapers and binders.
The time to care for eacl imple-
nent is when it's work is finished.
PRESSURE of other work, however. fire.
Inently makes this inconvenient, but
lothing should be allowed t0 inter-
ere with getting all machinery greas-
ID, and, if possible, under cover be-
ore the beginning of winter Then,
S early in the winter as you can find
ime for it, go over every piece and
ee what repairs are needed. If new
arts have to be ordered, order them
t once. A great deal of valuable
me is lost every spring waiting for
epair parts to arrive from the city.
The best possible use should be
lade of such housing space as is
vailable, and grease and paint should
e used without stint. Any farm inn
lement with bearings and bright
arts well protected with heavy grease
better off out in the weather than
landing in a shed without any pro-
,ction by grease or oil.
The United States Department of
griculutre has two bulletins-Far-
ers' Bulletin GAG and Farmers Bull
tin 947-devoted to the repair and
ijustment of farm implements. With
! implements safely sheltered for
le winter, you have tome tn write
T these bulletins and to use the in
rmation they contain IN putting
,ur implements and machines in the
,st possible condition for next crop
ason.