THE BOLL WEEVIL PROBLEM. 31 
at the middle of the bend to allow the link to turn and bag the other 
way. So long as the chains are kept tight they can not become un- 
hooked. The hooks should also be turned, or faced, in such a way 
that they will not be likely to catch the passing plants or rubbish. 
The clevis (0 p) is simply hinged, so that there will be no tendency 
to pull the front of the machine off of the ground, and it is also broad 
enough in front to allow of the point of draft being moved from one 
side to the other, so that the front of the machine may be thrown 
closer to one row if desired. 
The front guard on each side (a 6 c d) is made of one piece of 
spring steel, by 3; inch. This size seems sufficiently strong and best 
adapted to carry the tension of the chains (d 7) while still yielding to 
the pressure against the bases of the plants as they may strike the 
cuter, sloping ends near d. The inner ends of these guards (a }) are 
horizontal, about 18 inches each in length, and serve to carry the 
front guard above the draft bar (” m) and, passing through the 
keeper (7), guide in the adjustment for width. The machine can not 
be extended beyond the bent ends at @ or closed beyond the angles 
at d. ‘The vertical section between 6 and ¢ is about 12 inches long, so 
that the remainder of the front guard from ¢ to near d will be about 
4 inches above the ground. This prevents the pushing of dirt and 
squares toward the plants and allows the chains to catch them where 
they lie. The hooks at d and e are therefore bent downward and 
somewhat backward through about 5 or 6 inches. Care must be taken 
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 ati h g. The piece ik 7 
is nearly parallel with the chains and may be used for their proper 
adjustment 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 }-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 2} inches above the 
draft bar, to which it is securely bolted. The handles are bolted, as 
at 7, to the heavy pieces of iron (about 2 by 4 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 # 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 
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