THE EVOLUTION OF FARM-IMPLEMENT INVESTIGATIONS. 



By C. J. ZiNTHEO, 



In rJiari/r of Farui-Machinrrii Inrcstifjatioiis, Office of Experiment Statioui^. 



INTRODUCTION. 



It has long been rocofjnizod that the success of agricultural pur- 

 suits depends primarily upon the accomplishment of the largest pos- 

 sible results at a minimum cost. The growing scarcity of farm labor 

 and the constant increase in wages make labor-savi4ig machinery on 

 the farm of exceedingly great importance because mainly through it 

 can the farmer reduce the cost of production. Improved agricul- 

 tural implements and machinery have played a most important role 

 in the agricultural development and general welfare of the United 

 States. The success of American inventors and manufacturers in 

 constantly improving and adding to such machinery has resulted in a 

 steady decrease in the labor cost of agricultural production, notwith- 

 standing a simultaneous rise in wages. 



On account of the large investment in farm machinery and the 

 variety of implements used on the farm, there is need of information 

 on the utility and efficiency of the various kinds of implements used. 

 This country has made rapid progress in the manufacture of farm 

 implements, but in the testing of these implements to determine their 

 adaptability to the work for which they are intended we have not 

 kept pace with other countries. 



IMPLEMENT TESTING IN EUROPE. 

 SWEDEN. 



The various countries of Europe have taken the lead in the testing 

 of farm implements. The records show that as early as 18G0 there 

 were conducted in Sweden tests with farm implements in connection 

 with the meetings and fairs of local agricultural societies. Imple- 

 ment experiments were also conducted at the agricultural college of 

 Ultuna as early as 1874. None of these trials attracted very much 

 attention. It was only after they were conducted in connection with 

 the national agricultural society that they created any special interest. 

 Extensive field trials of implements were conducted in connection with 

 this society in 1880, 181)1, and 1890. The Swedish Government con- 



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