458 THE HANDBOOK FOE PRACTICAL FARMERS 



brighten after being left in tbe field through a rainy spell would 

 pay several times for bringing the plow to the tool shed and 

 oiling the mold board while it is yet bright. Without going into 

 detail we offer the following suggestions for the care of farm 

 machinery : 



Go over each machine at least two Aveeks before time to use it, 

 examine every part thoroughly and either replace it or else order 

 the part and have it ready in case a break occurs during the busy 

 season. It is unbusinesslike to take a chance on any Aveak parts 

 lasting through the year. It is good insurance to have the repair 

 part ready in case the break does occur and in case it does not 

 occur it does no harm to have the part on hand for next year. 



Give the machine a complete overhauling and have it ready 

 when it is needed. This overhauling can be done on days when 

 work is not pressing. 



Use a good grade of oil and keep the machine thoroughly oiled. 

 Many machines have gone to early ruin from lack of complete 

 lubrication. Remember that as long as there is a film of oil 

 between the working parts there will be no wear on the metal. 

 Study the machine, locate the parts that work rapidly and oil 

 these several times a day. Some of the slower working parts, 

 such as the bull wheel on the binder, needs oiling only once or 

 twice each day. Cover the machine at night, or, better still, back 

 it into the tool-house. Any machine, the wearing parts of which 

 are apt to rust during two or three days' idleness such as the 

 disks of the disk harrow or disk drill, the hoes of the drill or 

 the mold board of a plow should be oiled Avhen the machine 

 is unhitched. This is easily done by using a can of axle 

 grease and a painter's brush. A handy man can oil the mold 

 board of a plow in one minute. A good plower Avill have a small 

 box of grease and a brush always with him. The time that it 

 takes to oil the disks of a harrow or drill is small indeed com- 

 pared with the time and energy spent in getting them bright 

 sometimes. 



In the fall, after the farm machines have served their purpose 

 for the year, take a little pains in getting them located for the 

 winter. It is well to put blocks under the plow to hold it up off 

 the floor in case it is a concrete or gravel or earthen floor. This 

 helps prevent rust. Be careful that the machinery such as the 

 grain binder, hayrake, mowing machine and grain drill are not 

 stored on a "twist." Careless storing of machinery sometimes 

 bends some part out of shape, resulting in unusual wear on some 

 parts when the machine is put to use. 



