FARM MACHINERY AND IMPLEMENTS 171 



narrow ridge of loose earth directly over the corn. This prevents crust- 

 ing of the soil directly over the seed in case rains follow planting. 



Check-rowers are attached to corn planters for the purpose of having 

 the corn plants in rows in both directions. This provides for cross culti- 

 vation and is desirable on weedy soil. There are two forms of check- 

 rowers, one in which the wire enters the device on one side of the planter 

 and is left on the ground on the opposite side, where it is gathered up by 

 the planter upon its return. In the other form the wire remains on the 

 side of the planter next to the planted portion of the field. In the first 

 form, the knots on the wire are twice as far apart as the hills of corn, 

 each knot dropping two hills as it passes through the mechanism. In 

 the second form the distance between knots on the wire is the same as 

 the distance between hills. 



The best planters are so constructed that the distance between fur- 

 row openers and wheels can be adjusted. The adjustment generally ranges 

 from 3 to 4 feet in width. On good soil, corn is generally planted with 

 rows 3J feet apart. 



The seed boxes should have tight covers with good latches. The 

 boxes should be hinged so that they can be inverted to change the plates 

 without removing the corn. This also provides for the quick removal of 

 corn when one wishes to change from one variety of seed to another. 



HARVESTING MACHINERY 



In no phase of farm activity has there been a greater saving of labor 

 than through the introduction of improved harvesting machinery. In 

 less than three-quarters of a century this phase of farm work has passed 

 from the use of the cradle by which two men by long hours of back- 

 breaking work could cut and bind an acre and a quarter of grain in a 

 day, to the eight-foot self-binders, by which one man and three horses 

 can cut and bind fifteen acres in a day. Not only is much more accom- 

 plished, but the work is better done. 



Mowing Machines. The side-cut mowing machine, in spite of its 

 side draft, has not been displaced by the direct cutting machine. . The 

 two-horse mowing machine with a six-foot cutting bar is generally preferred. 

 While there are a number of makes of mowing machines, selection should 

 be made to fit the character of work to be done. The machine should be 

 no heavier than is required for the work it is to do. The important parts 

 of the mowing machine are the cutting device, consisting of the cutting 

 bar, guards and sickle, and the transmission gearing which transmits the 

 power of the team from the wheels to the cutting device. Ample adjust- 

 ment should be provided for regulating the height of cutting and also 

 for quickly elevating the bar to avoid obstructions in the field. 



It is important to keep all bearings tight and thoroughly oiled. 

 This increases the length of life of the machine and promotes efficiency. 

 The sickle knives should be kept sharp and should be held firmly against 



