148 FARM MECHANICS 



however, figures 12% days less for the tractor than for 

 horses. We should remember that actual farm figures 

 are used for the cost of horse work. Such figures are 

 not available for tractor work. 



The cost of plowing with a traction engine depends 

 upon so many factors that it is difficult to make any 

 definite statement. It depends upon the condition of 

 the ground, size of the tractor, the number of plows 

 pulled, and the amount of fuel used. An 8-16 horse- 

 power tractor, for instance, burning from 15 to 20 gal- 

 lons of low grade kerosene per ten hour day and using 

 one gallon of lubricating oil, costs about $1.90 per ten 

 hours work. Pulling two 14-inch plows and traveling 

 20 miles per day, the tractor will plow 5.6 acres at a 

 fuel and an oil cost of about 30 cents per acre. Pulling 

 three 14-inch plows, it will turn 8.4 acres at a cost for 

 fuel and oil of about 20 cents an acre. 



The kind and condition of soil is an important factor 

 in determining the tractor cost of plowing. Compari- 

 son between the average horse cost and the average 

 tractor cost suggests very interesting possibilities in 

 favor of tractor plowing under good management. 



Aside from the actual cost in dollars we should also 

 remember that no horse gang can possibly do the qual- 

 ity of work that can be accomplished by an engine 

 gang. Anxiety to spare the team has cut a big slice off 

 the profits of many a farmer. He has often plowed late 

 on account of hard ground, and he has many times 

 allowed a field to remain unplowed on account of worn- 

 out teams. Under normal conditions, late plowing 

 never produces as good results as early plowing. Many 

 a farmer has fed and harnessed by the light of the lan- 

 tern, gone to the. field and worked his team hard to take 

 advantage of the cool of the morning. With the ap- 



