31 
especially in forming the outer ends between ¢ and d to secure 
best results. The downward bend for the hook at a should not be 
abrupt, as a gradual slope helps to prevent catching on any obstacles. 
The hooks at # and g are formed so as to hold the chains firmly and 
yet not interfere with the passage of rubbish. The method of carry- 
ing the rear ends of the outer chains is shown at 7h g. The piece k 1 
is nearly parallel with the chains and may be used for their proper ad- 
justment as to tension by several holes near the end where it is 
bolted at %. The chains are between 30 and 36 inches long. The 
stand s upon which the handles are pivoted by a 4-inch bolt is 
made of a piece of boiler plate bent and cut so as to have a horizontal 
top surface about 4 inches square and standing about 24 inches above 
the draft bar, to which it is securely bolted. The handles are bolted, 
as at r, to the heavy pieces of iron (about 2 by $ inch tire steel) which 
are bent to receive them just behind the pivotal point at a, at such 
an angle as to bring the handles to the proper height and position. 
In front of w these pieces bearing the handles need not be so heavy 
and may therefore be tapered and welded to smaller steel running 
forward to b, where it is bolted to the front guard. The operation of 
this arrangement is similar to that of a huge pair of shears—when 
the handles are pushed apart the front of the machine is spread wider, 
and vice versa. The braces j ¢ e serve to support, strengthen, and carry 
the front guard. ‘They are riveted to the adjusting irons at j, one 
above and one below the “shear” pieces, to prevent their interference 
with the closing of the machine. At ¢ this iron is bent to conform to 
the front guard, to which it is riveted between ¢ and /, at which point 
it is bent downward and forms the hook e. Ordinary tire steel about 
1 by 4 inch may be used for all parts like the clevis (0 p), rear arches 
(f h m and i h g), and braces (k 1 and j ¢ e). The front guard 
(a b ¢ d) should be of spring steel, as specified. The rivet heads 
on the front guard should be round and fit smoothly. In nearly all 
other places the irons are fastened together by 4-inch square-headed 
bolts, with washers as needed. 
In operation the implement is drawn by a single animal. The 
chains at d and e pass under the branches of plants and close to the 
stems. The forward motion of the machine causes these squares to 
be drawn inward by the chains, which must be kept taut, and leaves 
them in a narrow pathway where the chains approach within a short 
distance of each other at the opposite end of the machine. (See 
figs. 7, 8.) The two chains are provided so that squares that may 
pass over the first are taken up by the second on either side. In 
actual practice it has been found that more than 90 per cent of 
squares may be brought to the middle of the rows. This means that 
the natural mortality among the weevils due to the effects of sun- 
shine can be at least doubled. 
344 
