appalling, but they turned the virgin soil and doubled the grain crops of 

 the country. The large heavy tractors were in a measure practical on 

 new sod, but after the ground had once been loosened, the power re- 

 quired to propel the machine in addition to pulling implements in- 

 creased the cost of operation to a prohibitive point. It also became ap- 

 parent that because of their enormous weight they packed the soil to an 

 injurious degree; hence, their use was soon very generally discontinued. 

 Because of the high price of horses and their maintenance, and the 

 scarcity of farm help, farmers began to clamor for a small type of tractor 

 that would reduce man labor, not increase the cost of maintenance above 

 horses, and not have the objectionable features of the heavy tractor. 

 So the small tractor was devised, and in the short space of four or five 

 years it has come with leaps and bounds. 



Today there are approximately 135 different makes on the market, 

 and more in a state of development. In shape, design and size, there is 

 a wide difference. The caterpillar is known as the creeping type. 

 Others have one drive wheel, some two, and still others three and four. 

 In weight, they range from one ton to several tons. Some are equipped 

 with one cylinder, others with two, and a few with four. Their capacity 

 ranges from one bottom to six, and the price from $450 to $3200. It is 

 very apparent that the inventive ingenuity of man has worked over- 

 time in devising a motive power that will lessen the cost of production 

 and at the same time be within the reach of every farmer. All of the 

 light tractors have some merit, some give splendid satisfaction under 

 ordinary conditions, and a very few, if any, under all conditions. The 

 problem of climbing over steep hills and plowing side hills, is still un- 

 solved, but undoubtedly will be in time. 



Most manufacturers are inclined to claim too much for their machines, 

 especially in the matter of the load they will pull. What a tractor will 

 do on level land of medium texture is no indication as to what it will do 

 on heavy stiff clays and old gumbos. Regardless, however, of all the 

 stumbling-blocks that exist, the small tractor has come, and it has come 

 to stay. Farmers realize the necessity of doing away with horse-power 

 as far as possible, reducing man labor to the minimum, and their deter- 

 mination not to turn back will stimulate inventors to devise a perfect 

 machine in time. 



Simplicity and durability are absolutely essential. Delicate and in- 

 tricate machinery will not meet with the farmers' approval. The ques- 

 tion of the cost of plowing an acre is often misleading by ardent pro- 

 moters. The cost must necessarily be in keeping with the price of fuel 

 and lubricating oil. Two years ago gasoline was selling at ten cents a 

 gallon. Then the cost of fuel was one-half of what it is at this writing. 

 Lubricating oils also vary in price; hence, it is foolish to make rash 

 claims unless the price of fuel and lubricants is taken into account. 



