SWEET CLOVER: HARVESTING AND THRASHING SEED CROP. 7 



winds. While a self-rake reaper is used to some extent in different 

 sections of the country, it is used most extensively in the western 

 North-Central States, and especially in western Kansas. 



THE GRAIN BINDER. 



A grain binder is employed extensively for cutting the sweet-clover 

 seed crop. (Fig. 3.) The general use of this machine in many sec- 

 tions of the country is due to the fact that it is found on most farms 

 and therefore causes no outlay of money, rather than because of its 

 efficient work. It is not so efficient as the self-rake reaper unless it is 

 equipped with pans and guards to save the seed which shatters. 



It is possible to equip the grain binder with pans and extensions to 

 the rear elevator plate and binder deck, so that at least 95 per cent of 

 the seed which shatters when the crop is cut may be saved. These 

 pans and extensions may be made out of ordinary galvanized metal 

 and strap iron. The galvanized metal may be purchased at any tin 

 shop or hardware store, and if sufficient strips of iron can not be 

 found around the farm for this purpose strap iron may be purchased 

 at any blacksmith shop.. The material for these pans and extensions 

 should not cost more than $4.50 or $5, and it should be possible to 

 have them made complete for $8 or $10, including material. Unless 

 there are a forge and drill on the farm it will be necessary to have the 

 braces and supports for the pans made at a blacksmith shop. The 

 strap iron used in connection with the pans may vary in size, but for 



FIG. 3. Cutting sweet clover for seed with a grain binder. 



