4 POWER AND THE PLOW 



What is this affair? It is an annual contest, a feature of the 

 Winnipeg Industrial Exhibition, open to the world for either 

 steam or internal-combustion tractors of any size or weight. 

 The contest of 1908, first of its kind on the American continent, 

 was received with skepticism, admixed with wonder, but the 

 world-wide interest in the results proved the timeliness of such 

 a demonstration of the utility of mechanical power on the farm. 

 With succeeding competitions this interest has in nowise abated, 

 and the present scene is the crowning event of them all. 



Invitations have been sent to every manufacturer, regula- 

 tions drawn and published, testing apparatus put in readiness, 

 and all preparations made to determine, from at least one stand- 

 point, the best agricultural motor for Western Canada. For 

 weeks before the trials engines have been arriving in Winnipeg, 

 and many a neighboring farmer has had a sizable field plowed 

 gratis while these modern farm horses tried out their paces. 

 For ten long days before the engines appear on the plowing 

 field they have been tested for their stationary power on a fric- 

 tion brake, in a hot unromantic corner of the exhibition grounds. 

 Now they have made their way over ten miles of winding prai- 

 rie trail to where a section of virgin gumbo sod lies waiting for 

 the breaking plow. Here at last ensues the real struggle, the 

 climax of a year's effort. 



All one day there is the eagerness of preparation. Tents 

 are pitched, fuel and water arranged for, plows assembled and 

 carefully adjusted. On a quarter section set apart, the compet- 

 itors are given a chance to test their plows and power. Courses 

 are marked by flag and stake, and all made ready for the start 

 at daybreak. In the night a steam tractioneer steals away with 

 his engine to caulk a flue. Yonder a dim light shows where a 

 torn gasket is being replaced on a gas tractor, or possibly a 

 sheared stud in a fuel pump is being replaced by a nail from the 

 tool-box. In the stillness, the sound of a stealthy file betrays 

 the purpose of a plowman to get an edge on his rival as well as 

 his plow. Camp food, tents, cots, blankets, hasty lunches 



