250 POWER AND THE PLOW 



the equipment. Cheap labor is by no means economical, 

 especially in the person of foreman or engineer. Not every 

 engineer who can run a threshing engine can run the same 

 engine successfully in breaking, while stationary and locomo- 

 tive engineers fail more often than not at this "rough-and- 

 tumble engineering." The duty of the foreman should be to 

 cut down the time spent at standstill by every means within 

 his power. Anticipating accidents is one profitable way of 

 earning wages, and only the experienced engineer will be 

 able to do this. 



Cutting down the time required to take on supplies is another 

 important item. Steam engines were formerly standing still 

 about 25 per cent, of the time, for oiling and taking coal and 

 water. Water may now be taken while the outfit is on the 

 move, requiring from five to eight minutes for each hour. 

 When it is necessary to stop for coal, as is the case perhaps 

 four times a day, the work of taking it on, oiling, tightening 

 bolts, etc., should be divided among the entire stop. With 

 internal-combustion engines, the tune thus lost is much less, 

 although in a few makes of engine the use of cooling water is 

 so excessive as to require a stop every two hours for this alone. 

 A portable supply tank, with compartments for both fuel and 

 water, is a time-saving piece of equipment in this case. 



The custom operator must first of all be sure of getting a 

 living price for his work. In some sections competition is so 

 keen as to make this difficult, but thorough organization of 

 the traction plowing operators should remove this difficulty. 

 The cost of doing work must be accurately known before a fair 

 basis of custom price may be had. This in turn requires the 

 keeping of daily records of cost and performance, and this 

 should be regarded as quite as necessary as intelligent manage- 

 ment of the equipment itself. Daily records should show the 

 number of miles traveled, or acres plowed; the total amount of 

 fuel, lubricating oil and other materials used; the cost of labor 

 and board; horse charges and incidental expenses. Cash 



