PREFACE 



rjlHIS book has been prepared to meet the increasing need 

 -L for a textbook on the mechanical processes commonly 

 taught in agricultural high schools and colleges, and in indus- 

 trial schools. Many teachers of vocational agriculture who 

 find it difficult to organize suitable projects for their students 

 will find that the exercises in this text have been worked out 

 to meet their needs. The book should also be widely useful 

 as a reference and instruction book on the farm. 



The types of work covered, while primarily representing 

 the common branches of mechanical activity required under 

 rural conditions, are, in most cases, applicable to the require- 

 ments of the industry upon which each type has a bearing. 



Each part of the book deals exclusively and comprehen- 

 sively with one particular type of work, as woodwork, cement 

 work, forging, etc. ; a fact which should contribute to its use- 

 fulness, both as a text and as a reference book. Thru further 

 divisions into chapters and numbered topics, a greater possi- 

 bility of locating, at any time, the various details and descrip- 

 tions is offered. 



The treatment thruout the book is thoroly practical. Em- 

 phasis is placed upon the proper use of tools and materials in 

 their application to projects. The projects are selected from 

 the standpoint of the practical application to the needs of the 

 student. The gradation of projects within each of the parts 

 has been kept in mind. The plan has been to treat each topic 

 in such detail that the teacher who has a variety of mechan- 

 ical work going on in his classes at one time may be largely re- 

 lieved of the burden of class instruction, and can devote his 

 energies to the needs of the individual pupil. Working draw- 

 ings and specifications for many of the projects have been 



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