840 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. [Vol. 38 



existing wliere they are used, although local custom has in some places 

 operated to continue systems that are more expensive than others which would 

 be entirely practicable." 



The total estimated cost of cutting one acre of wheat with a binder varied 

 from .$0,884 for a binder with an 8-ft. cut to i^l.lTS for a binder with a 6-ft. 

 cut, each machine being drawn by 4 horses. The possibilities of reducing the 

 cost of harve.sting with a binder by the use of a small gasoline engine to 

 operate the binder mechanism are briefly discussed. Twelve and 14 ft. headers 

 with different sizes of crews showed a total cost of $1.06 per acre each for 

 12-ft. headers with 5 men and 10 horses and for 14-ft. headers with 6 men 

 and 12 horses, as compared with a cost of $1.34 for 12-ft. headers with 6 men 

 and 14 horses, and $1.38 for 14-ft. headers with 8 men and 16 horses. In the 

 case of the combines the maximum cost per acre was $1.88 for the 14-ft. size 

 employing 5 men and 24 horses, decreasing to $1.32 for the 24-ft. size employing 

 6 men and 36 horses, with a minimum of $1.10 per acre for the 7-ft. size 

 requiring 2 men and 8 horses. 



The cost of shocking estimated for various yields ranged from 16 cts. per 

 acre for yields under 20 bu. to 26.5 cts. for yields of 31 bu. or over. The cost 

 per acre of stacking wheat is estimated to be $1,065 for one man pitching and 

 one man loading ; 80 cts. for 2 men pitching, with one wagon ; and 88 cts. for 2 

 men pitching, with 2 wagons. Based on present values for man labor, it is 

 estimated that cutting wheat with a cradle and binding and shocking by hand 

 would cost approximately $1.60 per acre, as compared with an average cost 

 of $1.23 for the modern binder, assuming a yield of 16 bu. per acre in each case. 



It is concluded that the greater items of expense are for man and horse 

 labor and depreciation of machinery. The large machines showed the smallest 

 cost per acre, while a material saving in harvesting expense is deemed possible 

 by a little inexpensive care of the apparatus, such as better housing, careful 

 overhauling during the winter, etc. 



The application of dockage in the marketing of wheat (U. S. Dept. Agr., 

 Fanners' Bui. 019 {1911), pp. 3-12, fig. 1). — The object of this publication is 

 to explain clearly to gi'ain farmers and dealers the methods of determining 

 docl^age and its relation to the marketing of wheat under the United States 

 Grain Standards Act. The equipment necessary for separating dockage is 

 briefly described, the methods of detei'mining and handling dockage outlined, 

 and the value of dockage indicated. Improper applications of the dockage 

 system are discussed, and the conclusion reached " that the majority of the 

 objections to the assessment of dockage have arisen through misunderstandings 

 as to the proper methods of applying dockage to the grading of wheat." 



Shrinkage in grain, F. A. Welton {Mo. Bui. Ohio Sta., 3 {1918). No. 2, pp. 

 39-.'i3). — This reports the results of shrinkage tests with well-matured and with 

 damp corn, also with oats, wheat, rye, and soy beans, in an effort to determine 

 the exact loss from shrinkage in grain held in storage. 



One hundred lbs. of well-matured ear corn was placed in a wooden box on 

 November 1, 1908, and each succeeding year for eight years, and stored in the 

 loft of a corn crib, there being a free circulation of air about the grain at all 

 times. The monthly shrinkage for each of the eight years was determined. 

 The total shrinkage per year ranged from 6.5 to 26.75 per cent, with an average 

 maximum of 20.41 per cent. With one exception (1908-09) the shrinkage 

 increased uniformly, the maximum being attained from July 1 to September 1. 

 Decided variations from the average were thought to be due to unusual climatic 

 conditions during the growing season, especially excessive rainfall. 



A duplicate lot of 100 lbs. of corn was kept under the same conditions as 

 noted above, and moisture determinations made on samples of both corn and 



