CHAPTER XXVIII. 



CARE OF IMPLEMENTS. 



OU could hardly read previous chapters without 

 noticing that I believe in having all the tools that 

 will save one hand labor. I believe it is the most 

 profitable way to farm to-day, to do enough to 

 amount to something in whatever lines you under- 

 take, and then do as little work by hand as possible, 

 whenever we have machinery that can practicably be employed, and 

 that does the work as well. It has been said that this is taking 

 the work away from the poor men who need it. There is no 

 trouble that way here . Men seem to soon accommodate themselves 

 to circumstances. Fifteen years ago, I could hire a man to cradle 

 my wheat for fifty cents an acre, and help was very plenty to drop 

 potatoes or dig and pick them up. Now that machinery does 

 nearly all this, the men seem to be busy at something else and 

 don't want to do this kind of work any more. They have easier 

 jobs. But for machinery I would be in serious shape for want of 

 help, and so would thousands of farmers. I find it very difficult 

 to hire any men by the day. I tried pretty hard last night to 

 find someone. They get work around town that is easier, or they 

 don't want to soil themselves any more. I engaged a young 

 man last spring to help me a few weeks this summer, during the 

 busiest season. He came and told me just before I wanted him 

 that he wouldn't work on a farm, as he could make as much 

 peddling washing machines, and of course that is lighter work, 

 and he can wear a laundried collar and cuffs. There are no poor 

 men with us seeking for farm work, and I am thankful that I am 

 able to be somewhat independent of such help. 



Farmers in different sections have remarked that it would 

 sink them to own as many tools as I do. They honestly think so, 

 no doubt. I know that I can afford to own them. I do not farm 

 blindly, without using pencil and head considerably. They can 

 afford to own as many as I, with the conditions the same. One 

 very important condition is, the care given to the implements. 

 I can take you to farms even in Ohio, where the finest new 

 implements have stood out doors the year round, and gone to 

 ruin in three years. I know that a great many good binders stood 

 out doors last winter, in different States, for I saw them. Tools are 

 better cared for here than in many sections. There are not very 

 many left out all winter here, but the loss from unnecessary 

 exposure during the summer is enormous in the aggregate. It 



