PREFACE. 



In no other line of industry has the present genera- 

 tion witnessed so marked a degree of development 

 as in the design and manufacture of grain handling 

 machinery. When we consider the difficulties to be 

 encountered and the obstacles to be overcome in 

 taking heads of grain, husking the minute kernels 

 from the covering, afterwards known as chaff, in 

 which Nature has enveloped them, depositing the 

 golden grain in the sack, and delivering the refuse 

 according to the will of the operator in so perfect and 

 expeditious a manner, we may look upon the modern 

 thresher as a marvel of success. 



To the thresherman in the field belongs more credit 

 for this achievement than is generally accorded him. 

 He is the final dictator. On his judgment a device 

 must stand or fall. His is the part to suggest, the 

 manufacturer's to execute. And even now, face to 

 face with the proficiency already attained, we find 

 that there is room for more and deeper study. 

 Further progress can be made by all working in 

 unison. 



By some the position is taken that there can be 

 formulated no definite rule by which to operate a 

 machine, and this is true to a certain extent. The 

 same may be said with equal truthfulness of any work 

 requiring skill, as skill can be had only by experience. 

 Each and every part of a threshing outfit, from the 

 foot board of an engine to the tail end of the straw 



192654 



