22 N. H. Agricultural Experiment Station [Bulletin 266 



Of all the equipment on the farm, the electric section of this particu- 

 lar range has given the only trouble worthy of mention. Its selection 

 in 1925 was made with knowledge of its somewhat inferior construc- 

 tion, but because of the limited number of combination models within 

 the farm price range at that time, little alternative existed. The oven 

 units in particular, have been a great source of trouble and expense 

 and have had to be renewed on an average of twice a year. Thej' are of 

 light construction with small terminal posts and connecting blocks. 

 The solid-surface plates all developed cracks within four years, but 

 have not as yet failed. 



In spite of the expense and annoyance with this particular range, 

 the housewife remains firm in her conviction that the combination type 

 is correct, and that the advantages of electric cookery outweigh her 

 difficulties. The cost of maintaining such equipment, however, is ex- 

 cessive, and points to the fact that the work demanded of equipment 

 on the farm does not permit the use of inferior appliances. 



Possible Future Load. 



The possibility of expanding the number of operations on this farm 

 are reasonable but not great under the present system of management. 

 Short term operations, such as silage cutting, are hired out to nearby 

 farmers who have the equipment, on the basis that the cost in over- 

 head and extras would exceed the material advantages of owning 

 equipment for this type of work. 



In the dairy room a wood-fired steam boiler furnishes hot water for 

 washing bottles and utensils and steam for sterilizing. Considerable 

 labor could be saved by heating the water electrically and using an 

 electric sterilizing cabinet instead. This would add considerably to 

 the bulk load and will eventually be done. 



Plans have been made for increasing the size of herd in considerable 

 amount, which would increase the current consumption of the present 

 equipment without increasing the investment. This, however, will not 

 occur until business conditions improve. 



As the farm stands today it represents an ideal electric load — rea- 

 sonable bulk in winter, spring and fall, and an excellent peak outline 

 from June to October. For this reason the equipment and make-up of 

 the connected load are worthy of particular attention. 



FARM NO. 5 (FRUIT) 



While fruit farms in general appear now to offer fewer opportuni- 

 ties for the use of electricity in the farm operations, due to the out- 

 lying and widespread area which the producing trees cover and the 

 necessity of much mobile equipment. Farm No. 5 has, as predicted in 

 the original report of 1927, forged steadily ahead in the development 

 of a substantial load. 



Because this farm is the only one in the group that started the ex- 

 periment without electricity on the place (a line extension first reached 

 the farm in August, 1925), it shows something of the steps of the new 

 rural consumer in his initiation to high line service. 



