CHAPTER XXX 



A PRACTICAL FARM REPAIR SKOP> 



By J. W. DiCKERSON 



Every progressive farmer should have a "Bad "Weather Work 

 Shop'* on his farm, well lighted, having good ventilation, and 

 equipped with up-to-date machinery and tools. 



It is a time and money saver to overhaul and repair the farm 

 equipment. All machines should be kept properly adjusted and 

 properly cared for so that when the call comes for its use, it will 

 be in running order. 



Points worth remembering. — Machines, when not in use, 

 should be brought under shelter and all bearings carefully oiled 

 with heavy lubricating oil, and all bright parts painted with a 

 mixture of equal parts of whiting and cup grease, which can 

 easily be removed with gasoline or kerosene ; loose nuts tight- 

 ened ; badly worn chain links repaired ; bent rods straightened ; 

 excessive wear taken up; all parts needing it given two good 

 coats of the paint suited to the wood or metal surface; disk 

 blades, etc., sharpened; harrow teeth and cultivator shovels 

 pointed ; scythes and sickles ground ; many other things may be 

 done also to put the machines and equipment in condition to 

 work at maximum efficiency at an hour's notice. 



Along with this careful overhauling of his machinery the 

 owner also sees that his auxiliary equipment — whiffletrees, 

 singletrees, clevises, log-chains, weed-hooks, rolling colters, lad- 

 ders, hayracks, shovel boards, wagonbeds, sideboards, tip-top 

 boards, hay forks, pulley block and so on — is fully repaired and 

 painted. 



The repair shop is of value to the housewife, for here she may 

 have chair rounds or rockers tightened ; table drawers repaired ; 

 the cupboard door that has swollen fitted; the screen door 

 repaired; the doors that sag repaired; butcher knives sharp- 

 ened, and kitchen equipment repaired. She also may have many 

 home-made contrivances that she never before dared to hope for. 



Always buy good tools for the shop and keep them in good 

 condition. Keep on hand nails and screws of different sizes. To 

 prevent nails and screws from rusting dip in boiled linseed oil. 



* Courtesy of the Country Gentleman. 



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