174: SUCCESSFUL FARMING 



binding apparatus. To these may be added the reel with its several 

 adjustments and the bundle carrier. There are numerous details which 

 will not be described here. The precautions advised relative to the 

 working parts of the mowing machine apply with equal force to the self- 

 binder. Various parts of the binding apparatus must work in harmony 

 and be so timed that each part will do its work at exactly the right moment. 

 In order to operate the self-binder satisfactorily, one should understand 

 the working of the various parts and be capable of adjusting them. 



The canvas elevators should be neither too tight nor too loose to insure 

 good work. They should be loosened when the machine stands in the 

 field over night. If rain threatens, it is wise to remove them or cover the 

 machine to keep them dry. Their usefulness will be greatly lengthened by 

 removing them from the machine, rolling them so mice cannot enter the 

 folds and storing in a dry place at the close of the harvesting season. 



The best way to keep the self-binder in first-c'ass condition is to oil 

 all wearing parts as soon as the harvest is over and store the machine 

 under shelter at once. If work is not rushing at this time, repairs should 

 be made while the farmer knows how the machine has been running and 

 what parts need repairs. If these precautions are not taken, three or 

 four times as much labor will be required to remove the rust and get the 

 machine to operating smoothly the following season. 



One should always have on hand a small supply of knife blades and 

 rivets, extra links for the chains that are likely to break and a few extra 

 small bolts and taps. It is essential to have with the machine suitable 

 wrenches, pliers, a cold chisel, screwdriver and hammer. The frequent 

 oiling of all bearings is necessary. 



Corn Harvesters. The modern corn harvester is the outgrowth of 

 the self-binder. It combines the same principles in both cutting and 

 binding apparatus. The apparatus for conveying the stalks to the binder 

 is very different from that of -the self-binder. The various parts of the 

 machine are much stronger than those of the self-binder, in order to 

 handle heavy green corn without straining or breaking the machine. It 

 is designed to cut one row of corn at a time and is now extensively used in 

 cutting corn for the silo as well as cutting more mature corn for shocking 

 in the field. 



This machine costs equally as much as the self-binder, and is an eco- 

 nomical investment where there are twenty acres or more of corn to be 

 harvested. 



Threshing Machines. The modern threshing machine has reached 

 a high stage of development and does all the work of separating the grain 

 from the straw, cleans the grain of chaff and foreign material, delivers the 

 grain to bag or wagon and the straw to stack or mow without its being 

 touched by the hands of man after it is forked from the wagon to the self- 

 feeder and band cutter. 



Since the average farmer does not own a threshing outfit, it is not 



