Chapter I: Preface

More mechanical knowledge is required on the farm than in any other line of business. If a farmer is not mechanically inclined, he is under the necessity of employing someone who is.

Some farms are supplied with a great many handy contrivances to save labor. Farmers differ a great deal in this respect. Some are natural mechanics, some learn how to buy and how to operate the best farm machinery, while others are still living in the past.

Some farmers who make the least pretensions have the best machinery and implements. They may not be good mechanics, but they have an eye to the value of labor saving tools.

The object of this book is to emphasize the importance of mechanics in modern farming; to fit scores of quick-acting machines into the daily routine of farm work and thereby lift heavy loads from the shoulders of men and women; to increase the output at less cost of hand labor and to improve the soil while producing more abundantly than ever before; to suggest the use of suitable machines to manufacture high-priced nutritious human foods from cheap farm by-products.

Illustrations are used to explain principles rather than to recommend any particular type or pattern of machine.

The old is contrasted with the new and the merits of both are expressed.

THE AUTHOR.

CONTENTS

PAGE
CHAPTER I
THE FARM SHOP WITH TOOLS FOR WORKING WOOD AND IRON 9

CHAPTER II
FARM SHOP WORK 50

CHAPTER III
GENERATING MECHANICAL POWER TO DRIVE MODERN FARM MACHINERY 74

CHAPTER IV
DRIVEN MACHINES 100

CHAPTER V
WORKING THE SOIL 137

CHAPTER VI
HANDLING THE HAY CROP 163

CHAPTER VII
FARM CONVEYANCES 179

CHAPTER VIII
MISCELLANEOUS FARM CONVENIENCES 197

INDEX 241

FARM MECHANICS