CHAPTER IX 



THE TRACTION-ENGINE IN DRY-FARMING 



THERE can be no doubt that the 

 traction-engine is destined to play 

 a prominent part in the development of 

 dry-farming more especially where large 

 areas of virgin prairie require to be 

 turned over. At the same time every 

 farmer who is thinking of purchasing a 

 steam or gasoline traction-engine should 

 remember the following points. In the 

 first place the steam-engine will never 

 wholly do away with the necessity of 

 having horses for the performance of 

 various minor farm duties. Secondly, 

 and most important, the passage of a 

 heavy engine over the ground tends to 

 hammer the soil to stone-like hardness. 

 It is thus apt to become inert and unre- 

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