26 MISCELLANEOUS FARM SUBJECTS 



Variations in plow shapes, such as have been worked out for local 

 conditions, apply as well to engine as to horse plows; hence the 

 problem has been principally to combine plow units into large gangs 

 in the most satisfactory manner. 



Disk Plows. Disk plows are popular with traction plowmen, 

 as it is possible with them to cover more ground with a given expendi- 

 ture of time and power than with moldboard plows. Furthermore, 

 it is possible with them to plow a continuous furrow around a field 

 without labor and loss of time in lifting plows at corners or head- 

 lands, though in this case the corners are usually left to be plowed 

 out with horses. Disk plows, especially the smaller gangs, accommo- 

 date themselves readily to uneven surfaces and tend to roll over ob- 

 structions. They can be used under certain conditions where mold- 

 board plows can not; yet it is doubtful whether, on the whole, they 

 do as good work. 



Engines. Steam engines are much more common than gaso- 

 line engines for traction plowing. Steam engines used for plowing 

 are usually rated at from twenty to fifty horsepower. 



Traction Plowing. No general statement as to the practicability 

 of traction plowing can be made, as the factors involved are too 

 many and too varied to admit of general conclusions, even for a 

 single locality. Any one of the factors may determine the success 

 or failure of an outfit. Many localities are generally unsuited to 

 the practice, but a few operators may have remarkable success be- 

 cause of favorable environment or unusual ability. If season, soil, 

 and topography are favorable and fuel and water are convenient it 

 becomes largely an individual problem. The size and cost of equip- 

 ment, the acreage to be plowed, the cost of operation, and the energy 

 and ability of the operator are all important factors materially affect- 

 ing any conclusions which may be drawn from averages. 



Two widely varying points of view are encountered with re- 

 gard to the practicability of traction plowing under any given con- 

 ditions, namely, that of the landowners and that of the custom 

 operators. The former have an interest in the crop beyond the 

 mere cost of plowing the ground in preparation for it, and it is safe 

 to say that the majority of these have decided the question on the 

 basis" of net returns. 



Granting the practicability of traction plowing under given 

 conditions, the selection of equipment, and especially of the tractor, 

 is a vital point. Plows for this work are in the main satisfactory 

 and, being confined to comparatively few makes, are more easily 

 investigated. However, the large and rapidly growing number of 

 traction engines offered for sale makes selection difficult. To be 

 practicable the tractor must be powerful, durable, economical, and 

 simple, with emphasis on all four points. It must draw a profitable 

 load continuously while at work and that without excessive depre- 

 ciation and repair charges. It must be economical of fuel and labor 

 and not so complicated as to require skill not readily acquired by 

 the average farmer. In addition to serviceability in plowing it 

 should be adapted to a wide range of usefulness in order to compete 



