THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 



421 



Six horses, one mule, four working bullocks, 

 and twenty heifers, were supplied every day. The 

 horses got three firkins well filled every day ; the 

 mule two; working bullocks three each; heifers 



one each ; a few firkins to the milk cows ; working 

 horses and working bullocks got a little hay also. 

 One man and a boy provided and prepared all this 

 food. 



ACCIDENTS CAUSED BY AGRICULTURAL MACHINES. 



It is but a short time since machines propelled 

 by horse, water, or steam power have been em- 

 ployed to any great extent by farmers in this, or in 

 fact any other country, the great proportion of the 

 labour bestowed on land, and neai-ly all the work 

 of the whole farm, being performed by manual la- 

 bour, or the direct traction of draught animals. 

 With the advent of the application of machinery 

 have come the dangers resulting from its use, in- 

 volving the loss of life and limbs to its operators. 

 These accidents can, however, be prevented to a 

 very great extent, by care and prudence. When 

 machinery was first extensively used in manufac- 

 tures, accident?? were of every-day occurrence. 

 Limbs were cut and torn from the body, and even 

 the whole frame mangled in the worst manner. 

 But at the present time such agonizing scenes sel- 

 dom occur, and when one does happen, it is often 

 in using some new machine with which the work- 

 men are unacquainted, or, what is more generally 

 the case, the victim is a new hand, often a few 

 hours only since he first entered the building. 

 Now from these facts we may understand that the 

 principal cause of such accidents is either careless- 

 ness, or ignorance of the dangers resulting from 

 the use of machinery. At the present time, ma- 

 chinery for manufacturing purposes is built with 

 reference to obviating any danger which might 

 arise from its use. Wheels are guarded and belts 

 placed in positions least liable to come in contact 

 with the dress or persons of those in attendance, 

 or in many cases entirely boxed in ; and in all 

 well-regulated factories, every precaution is taken 

 by which life and limb can be protected. The 

 workman also has a set of rules by which he is 

 guided in all necessary handling of his tools or 

 machine, and the young beginner, who is not wise 

 enough to profit by the experience of his seniors, 

 soon learns a lesson which he will never forget, 

 impressed upon him as it has been in blood. 



Our farmers are at present in the condition of 

 the manufacturing operatives of twenty-five or 

 thirty years ago, in as far as ignorance of the 

 manipulations of machinery, and they have to learn 

 in the same manner those have done. But much 

 of the experience of the latter class can be profit- 

 ably applied by the former, and with great ease. 

 We %vill give a few hints on this subject, which will 

 be found of practical utility. 



1. Greater care should be taken in handling 

 machines driven by horse power than is necessary 

 when steam or water power is used, the motive 

 power in the former case being more liable to start 

 when not wanted, and that in either direction. 

 The animal should therefore either be detached, or 

 the machine locked when it becomes necessary to 

 handle the working parts. With a properly con- 



structed steam engine or water power, this is never, 

 or at least seldom the case. 



2. In putting on or taking off belts, be sure and 

 have your feet firm. Never put your thumb or 

 fingers between the belt and the pulley. The safe 

 handhng of belts cannot be performed by a mere 

 novice ; practice is always essential. 



3. Never pass before a mowing machine to put 

 anything to rights. If you stand at the back or 

 upon the machine itself, there is little danger, 

 otherwise much; as several serious and fatal acci- 

 dents during the past season give evidence. 



4. Study the details of all your machinery with 

 an eye to the liability of danger to yourself or ser- 

 vant, and devise means by which it can be avoided, 

 and you will confer a benefit on the whole farming 

 community. 



5. Give preference to machinery that, combined 

 with other good qualities, is constructed with 

 reference to the avoiding of injury to the person 

 who has it in charge. Along with the observance 

 of this advice, never allow a person imder the in- 

 fluence of liquor to come near any kind of ma- 

 chinery. The whisky jug is often the cause of 

 much suffering in this way as well as in others. 

 If the reader will remember these hints, they may 

 prevent many sad accidents. 



« GOD SAVE THE PLOUGH." 



BY MRS. SIGOURNEY. 



See how the glittering share 

 Makes earth's bosom fair. 



Crowning the brow ; 

 Bread in its furrow springe. 

 Health aud repose it brings, 

 Treasures that mock at kings — 



God save the plough ! 



Look to the warrior's blade, 

 While o'er the crinisou'd glade 



Hate breathes its vow — 

 Wrath it unsheathing wakes, 

 Love at its flashing q^iiakes. 

 Weeping and woe it makes- 

 God save the plough ! 



Ships o'er the ocean ride. 



Storm wrecks their banner'd pride, 



Waves whelm their prow — 

 While the untroubled wain 

 Gariieth the golden grain, 

 Gladdening the reaper train — 



God save the plough ! 



Who are the truly great? 

 Minions of pomp aud state. 



Where the crowd bow ? 

 Give U8 hard hands and free — 

 Cultures of field and tree- 

 True sons of liberty — 



God save the plough ! 



