THE TRACTION-ENGINE 



Again, the constant traveling over 

 rough ground, the jarring of the cogs, 

 and the accumulation of dust in the 

 gearing makes it hard to keep this sort 

 of machinery in proper order. Parts are 

 very apt to become loose or worn out and 

 the whole outfit may be laid up for sev- 

 eral days, pending repairs, at the most 

 critical period of the plowing season. 

 Another trouble is the difficulty of get- 

 ting efficient engineers — men who have 

 had some experience in running trac- 

 tion-engines for plowing. Stationary 

 or locomotive engineers do not seem to 

 understand how to work these engines, 

 although they are easy enough to 

 manipulate. Notwithstanding all these 

 disadvantages, the manufacturers are 

 constantly striving to improve their 

 machines and the popularity of the 

 traction-engine is growing rapidly. This 

 season a very large percentage of the 

 265 



