TRACTION ENGINE IN DRY -FARMING 265 



each will cut a full swath. The number provided will, of course, 

 always be one less than the number of binders. On rolling ground 

 the number of binders is limited by topography rather than 

 the power of the engine, the larger number of binders having a 

 tendency not to cut full width on side slopes. One type of 

 patent binder hitch, costing about $35, has added from ten to 

 fifteen days to the annual service of many a traction engine in 

 the West. 



The header, a wide machine that cuts the wheat stalk close 

 to the head and elevates it without binding, has much greater 

 capacity than the binder. It can be used profitably only where 

 the absence of storms allows the grain to remain on the stalk 

 until fully ripe. One of these can be quite successfully pushed 

 ahead of a small tractor, being pushed ahead. In some cases 

 a larger engine will use a header in front, and plows or disks 

 behind. 



The combined harvester cuts, threshes, and sacks the grain 

 at one operation. This machine, drawn by a large steam 

 engine, may place from 75 to 125 acres of wheat in sacks ready 

 for shipment, in a day of twelve hours. The disadvantage is 

 that the crop has little protection from unfavorable weather. 

 Rain may beat it down and shell out part of the grain, or wind 

 may place it beyond the reach of cutting. Weed seeds are 

 scattered back upon the ground by the "combine" and dis- 

 tributed from field to field, hence the essentials of good farming 

 are harder to observe. 



For threshing by the ordinary methods, separators are made 

 in sizes adapted to practically all sizes of plowing engines, 

 except the very largest. A large separator of common size, 

 fully equipped, costs in the neighborhood of $1300, and has a 

 capacity of 1500 to 2500 bushels of wheat per day. Eight or ten 

 wagons will be needed in threshing and hauling. These will cost 

 $100 to $125 each when equipped with a straw rack and a 100- 

 bushel grain box. The whole train may be hauled at one trip by 

 the tractor, delivering two carloads of grain to the car or elevator. 



