CHAPTER 58 



Farm Machinery and Implements 



During the past century the invention and introduction of farm ma- 

 chinery and implements has almost revolutionized methods of farming. The 

 great change from the simplest of tools to the almost perfect farm machines 

 has had a marked effect upon the life of the farmer. It has shortened his 

 hours of labor, increased his efficiency and brought to him better wages. 

 It has reduced the necessity of brute strength and increased the demand 



A Good Type of Walking Plow. 1 



for a better developed intellect. Mechanical ability is now an essential 

 in farming. 



Advantages of Farm Machinery . — Farm machinery has decreased the 

 percentage of people living upon farms in North America. In 1800, 97 per 

 cent of the people lived on farms. In 1850 this proportion had decreased 

 to 90 per cent. In 1900 it was 36 per cent and is now about 33 per cent. 

 At the present time one-third of our population produces the bulk of food 

 supplies and the raw materials for clothing. Consequently the remaining 

 two-thirds are free to engage in constructive work for the advancement of 

 the race. 



This decrease in the proportion of people on farms has been accom- 

 panied by a great increase in production per capita. In 1800 in the United 



1 Courtesy of Doubleday, Page & Co., Garden City, N. Y, From "Soils," by Fletcher, 



(715) 



