EDITORIAL. 10 ( .» 



as judged by the above survey. With the Federal Government sup- 

 plementing private enterprise in the construction of large projects 

 and carrying <»m extensive investigations upon the use and economy of 

 water, this important branch of agricultural development i- placed 

 upon a rational and intelligent basis which will make for greater per- 

 manency and stability. 



Elsewhere in tin- issue a brief account is given <>r the meeting of the 

 National Association of Agricultural Implement and Vehicle Manu- 

 facturers. This association holds annual meetings, and this year met 

 at Niagara Falls the last of September. It represents interests which 

 stand very close to agriculture, and the present development of 

 instruction and experimentation in farm mechanics make- it- deliber- 

 ations a matter of special interest. 



The development of agricultural implements and machinery has 

 been very closely connected with our agricultural development and 

 the increasing economy of production. It i- calculated that in L830 

 over three hours of labor were employed in growing a bushel of wheat, 

 while in L896 the labor aggregated only ten minutes: in L850 the labor 

 represented in a bushel of corn was four and one-half hours, while in 

 ls«>4 it had been reduced to about forty minute-. A- compared with 

 the cost of production in 1830-50, modern machinery now growscrops 

 for less than half, although operated by men who receive twice the 

 wages paid formerly. Furthermore, the general quality of the product 

 is better and it is handled in a more cleanly manner. 



The American farmer buys annualh one hundred million dollars' 

 worth of farm implements and machinery, and the total assessed value 

 of this portion of his equipment is $761,261,000. This is a vast 

 Investment, upon which he should realize good returns through being 

 able to select implements which meet all the requirements for which 

 they were purchased, and to secure the highest possible efficiency. 



The introduction of power upon the farm is steadily increasing, and 

 among the latest sources of power for this purpose alcohol is com- 

 manding wide attention. This material is already coming into use in 

 Europe, where its application to a great variety of purposes in reduc- 

 ing hand labor and eliminating drudgery has been demonstrated. It- 

 convenience, safety, and cleanliness commend it. and especially the 

 possibility of its cheap production upon the farm. Alcohol motors 

 have been perfected and machinery for distilling improved, and the 

 German Government has encouraged the industry by removing the 

 tax.'- from the product used for technical purposes. It is reported 

 that raw alcohol is produced in that eountn from potatoes for 13 cents 

 a gallon by processes so simple as to be within the reach of farmer.-. 

 Already there is demand in this country for the removal of the taxes 

 from alcohol used for technical purposes, the presenl revenue amount- 

 ing to nearly fourteen times the cost of manufacture. 



