PREFACE. 



HE object of this book is to enable the owners 

 and the operators of "Case" Threshing Ma- 

 chinery to become familiar with the construc- 

 tion and operation of their engines and ma- 

 chines. The material has been gathered, not 

 only from the author's personal experience, 

 but also from notes taken during visits to the 

 outfits of a large number of the best and most successful 

 threshermen in various localities. The aim has been to 

 avoid theorizing and to make only such statements as have 

 been demonstrated practical, by actual field expedience. The 

 fact is appreciated that it is impossible to lay down specific 

 rules for operating threshing machinery, under the ever 

 varying conditions of grain, straw and weather, but it is 

 hoped that the suggestions herein embodied will enable a 

 man of ordinary intelligence to operate his machine success- 

 fully, and to be, to a certain extent, an expert himself. 



It is the intention to continue revising it from time to 

 time, and with this aim in view, suggestions and criticisms 

 will be welcomed from threshermen, wherever located, to 

 whom this little volume is respectfully dedicated. 



