Ivi Department of Rural Engineering 



RURAL engineering 



H. W. Riley, Professor of Rural Engineering 



The present acute ' shortage in agricultural labor and the high feed 

 prices have forced many farmers to the use of the gas tractor. Most 

 farmers realize that because of the sensitiveness of the gas engine they 

 must be well instructed in its operation and care if they are to undertake 

 farming by gas-engine power with any degree of certainty. Accordingly, 

 when the New York State Food Commission, the farm bureaus, the 

 tractor companies, and this Department announced last winter that a 

 series of tractor schools would . be given in different towns throughout 

 the State, there was an immediate response. In January, February, 

 and March, twenty schools were held, at which 1176 persons were enrolled. 

 About 7 5 per cent of these were actively engaged in farming, some making 

 a great sacrifice to attend. The interest was well maintained, the average 

 attendance being about 82 per cent. The average enrollment was 58.8, 

 and from 3 to 10 tractors were available for study, the average for all 

 schools being 5.6. 



The two special tractor schools held by the Department of Rural 

 Engineering were each of three weeks duration and were held in the six 

 weeks following the close of the regular winter course. In each the 

 enrollment was approximately the maximum permissible niimber of 40, 

 and the work consisted of two lectures and two laboratory periods a day 

 in the study and the actual repair and adjustment of both new and used 

 tractors. 



The increase of federal funds under the Smith-Hughes Act has made 

 possible the establishment of a course in farm shop work for agricultural 

 teachers, and such a coiirse has been started in charge of L. M. Roehl. 

 The work is progressing in a very satisfactory manner. 



In the administration of the power ditching machines which the Food 

 Supply Commission has purchased and placed under the jurisdiction of 

 different farm bureaus in the State, the Commission has turned to the 

 College of Agriculture for technical assistance, and Professor Robb, of 

 this Department, cooperating with the farm bureaus, has been placed 

 in charge of the technical administration of the ditchers. In emergencies 

 various other members of the Department have assisted in svirveying 

 in advance of these ditching machines, and have also in some cases been 

 of material aid to the operators in overcoming mechanical difficulties. 



In order to keep closely in touch with actual difficulties encountered 

 by farmers in the use of their farm tractors, the Department has instituted 

 in a small way a local tractor service administered by regular members 

 of the departmental staff. A considerable number of calls have been 



