FARM MANAGEMENT 35 



and this will serve as well as new material for repair work. It should 

 be the policy to save every good barrel hoop or extra barrel head for 

 future use in replacing a broken or missing one. Very little time 

 will be required to care for these articles if some system of storing 

 them is employed. 



The Care of Tools. The system of storing the tools should 

 conform to the needs of those using them and to the work to be per- 

 formed. In many instances it may be desirable to keep the tools in 

 a portable chest in which they may be carried to any part of the 

 farm or plantation; on the other hand, if the work is done almost 

 entirely at the shop the tools will be more accessible when supported 

 on the walls or upon shelves above the bench. 



In climates where the atmosphere is moist the greater part of 

 the time, it is not wise to keep the tools exposed by hanging them 

 on the walls or laying them upon open shelves, but a wall cabinet or 

 a tool chest should be provided. It should be the aim to have a 

 place for every tool, and then cultivate the practice of returning it 

 to its proper place immediately upon the completion of the work in 

 hand. A very good plan for keeping the tools in their respective 

 places is to first draw an outline of each tool in its place upon the 

 wall and then paint this space black or some color in contrast with 

 the wall itself, so that when any tool is not in its place its absence 

 will be readily apparent. 



Many persons are in the habit of leaving tools where they finish 

 using them. In the first place, a tool can not be kept in working 

 condition if allowed to remain exposed to the weather, and in the 

 second place the time lost in locating the tool when it is next required 

 for use will be much greater than that which would be required to 

 return it to the proper place. 



The importance of having a good working equipment in small 

 items, and the absolute necessity for caring for it, are matters which 

 should be apparent to the thoughtful farmer. The waste of time 

 in making numerous special trips for small articles is also appar- 

 ent, especially so when it is considered that many of these occur in 

 the busiest seasons. This could be avoided to a large extent by tak- 

 ing an inventory during a slack period and replacing all missing 

 items at the next opportunity. Concerning the loss through ignor- 

 ance of what is needed, however, less has been said, and it is to the 

 requirements in miscellaneous items and the purchase thereof that 

 this circular will be largely devoted. (Ohio E. S. B. 98; F. B. 347.) 



Educational Values. The use of tools is of great value as an 

 educational feature, especially when the work is carefully performed. 

 The boys on the farm shoulcl be encouraged in the use of tools, and 

 should be held responsible both for the care of the tools and the 

 character of the work performed. The tool outfit of the farm is of 

 special service on stormy days and will aid greatly in keeping the 

 boys employed and contented to remain at home. (F. B. 347.) 



WATER ON THE FARM. 



The quality of a water is, of course, only definitely known by 

 chemical or other analysis, and yet common sense will be of great 



