662 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



machinery should be carefully examined every day, as bolts often work 

 loose or boxes may fit too tightly, causing them to heat. When the work 

 with a certain machine has been finished it should be thoroughly cleaned 

 and all parts that are liable to rust should be carefully wiped with an 

 oiled rag or waste. They should then be stored in a shed of some kind, 

 rather than left in the corner of a field or under a tree where the 

 chickens roost on them. 



With good care and housing an ordinary grain binder on the average 

 160-acre grain farm will last from twelve to sixteen years. In comparison 

 with this, a binder doing no more work, without extra care or housing, 

 will last but from five to eight years. Records show that many farmers 

 have kept their tools in constant use by good care for more than twice 

 the average life of the machine. 



We will assume that a farmer starts in farming with $1,000 invested 

 in new machinery and that if sheltered and well cared for it will last 

 ten years and if not sheltered only five years. If the implements stand 

 out in the weather it will cost another $1,000 to replace them at the 

 end of five years. The compound interest on this amount for five years 

 at 5 per cent amounts to $276.28, or the total amount of money paid out 

 for machinery with its interest amounts to $1,276.28. 



A good tool shed large enough for this machinery can be built for $200. 

 The compound interest on this amount for ten years at 5 per cent equals 

 $125.60, or the shed may be considered to have cost $325.60 at the end of 

 ten years. After paying for the shed it leaves us at the end of the ten 

 years a balance of $950.68 in favor of housing the machinery, and the 

 shed is perhaps good for ten years more use. 



THE COST OF HOUSING FARM MACHINERY. 



Wallaces' Farmer. 



E. A. White, in the Illinois Agriculturist, gives some interesting figures 

 on housing farm machinery, as follows: 



"On the average farm we will usually find the following tools: 



Three gang plows $ 60 $ 180 



One -walking plow 16 16 



One 20-foot harrow 22 22 



One roller 25 25 



One disk harrow 30 30 



Onediskdrill 80 80 



One corn planter 40 40 



Three two-row cultivators 40 120 



One mower 43 43 



One hay rake 25 25 



One side delivery rake 50 50 



One hay loader 50 50 



One binder (8 feet) 125 125 



One manure spreader 120 120 



Three wagons 70 210 



One hay rack 20 20 



One double carriage 135 135 



Two single carriages 100 200 



One cart 25 25 



Total SI, 516 



