CHAPTER XI. 

 HORSE-POWERS. 



HE horse-power, which, at one time, was the 

 principal means of driving threshing- 

 machines, is still used to a considerable ex- 

 tent for this purpose. With a sufficient num- 

 ber of good, strong horses, this means of 

 supplying the motive power for threshing is 

 very satisfactory, 'and, owing to the fact that 

 the investment involved in a horse-power outfit is consider- 

 ably less than is required for a steam rig, it is probable that 

 the horse-power will continue its usefulness in this industry 

 for many years to come. The present style of metal-frame 

 power is superior to the wood-frame because it is not sub- 

 ject to atmospheric conditions, which continually cause the 

 swelling and shrinking of wood. 



Starting a New Horse-Power. The first thing to do in 

 preparing a new power for work is to carefully clean the 

 cinders from the oil-boxes. Next, oil each of the bearings 

 and thoroughly grease all the gearing, turning the power by 

 hand until the entire wearing surface is well lubricated. A 

 new power should be run at least half an hour before being 

 coupled to the separator or other machine to be run. If the 

 horses be nervous, because unused to the work, put a man 



