576 THE AMERICAN FARMER 



farm implements than their constant use would during that period, and the fanner who fails 

 to provide a place of shelter for his tools, has a very poor idea of the proper economies con 

 nected with his business, as well as but little system or method in managing it. Western 

 farmers are generally more negligent in this respect than Eastern, but such mismanagement 

 is quite too commonly seen in all sections of the country. 



Repairing Tools. Failing to repair tools at the proper time is also a great waste. 

 The old maxim with regard to &quot; a stitch in time,&quot; is as true in relation to farming as any 

 other business. Some farmers never think of repairing a wagon, or harness, until it absolutely 

 breaks down or gives out altogether, and even then make a temporary repair in a bungling 

 manner, to make the broken parts hold together for the time being, at the imminent risk to 

 life and limb thus involved. Neither wagons nor harnesses are scarcely, if ever, oiled, the 

 friction thus produced on the axles of the former causing them to wear out much faster than 

 they otherwise would. The tire of the wheels gets loose, and is never reset, until by long 

 rattling which would be sufficient to signal the approach of such vehicles at a long distance 

 they finally come off, and repairing becomes an imperative necessity. Harnesses get dry 

 and stiff for lack of oil, soon break in consequence, and are tied together with tow strings, or 

 leather strips made after the manner of the old-fashioned cobbler s shoe-strings, and are thus 

 used until they can be used no longer, and a new one is bought, to receive the same kind of 

 care. It seems strange that farmers who are often economical, and even penurious with 

 respect to spending money for other things, should permit such wastes, when with a little 

 care it might be obviated. 



A reaper should never rattle when at work, and if by taking hold of a shaft it can be 

 shaken, it shows that the boxes need filling. This may be done by almost any farmer him 

 self, or it will cost but a few dollars to have it done at a machine-shop. A few pounds of old 

 type when melted will serve for the material. In the use of all farm machines, they should 

 be kept in good repair, with every nut and rivet tight. They should also be kept well oiled 

 where the latter is essential. 



A few moments spent in replacing a lost bolt, tightening a loosened screw, or making 

 any such slight repairs, will often save much labor and expense in making more extensive 

 ones that may be required through neglect at first. Serious accidents to rider and team may 

 also not unfrequently be avoided by attending to such slight repairs in season. 



Insufficient Help. The number of laborers on the farm should always be adapted 

 to the amount of work to be performed. With ideas of false economy, some farmers employ 

 only about one-half the hired help that is necessary in order to perform the work in the 

 proper time and manner, and endeavor, by working this force to the utmost, early and late, 

 to be able to secure the accomplishment of the work for the season, at a much less expense 

 than would ordinarily be involved in accomplishing it. By this course, much of the work is 

 delayed beyond the proper time of doing it, and many of the crops become seriously injured. 

 The cultivation and harvesting is in many instances delayed, weeds obtain the mastery of the 

 soil, on account of other duties pressing, that there are not sufficient hands to perform at the 

 proper time, crops become over-ripe, the grain shells out in the field, and the whole machin 

 ery of the farming system seems clogged. The loss occasioned by such management will 

 usually far exceed the expense of employing a suitable number of hands; while hired help 

 who feel that their employer is endeavoring to over-reach them by exacting more from them 

 in service than is just, for the compensation received, will not take that interest in the work, 

 or generally perform it, as well, as when they feel that they are fairly treated. Besides, aside 

 from motives of policy, which should be secondary, any course that is based upon sifch selfish 

 motives is not founded upon honor, or the principle of right, and the man who is not willing 

 to give a just and fair equivalent for what he receives, is not an honest man, and is not 



