270 Tbansactions of the Aiierigan Institute. 



surface is not oiled or varnished. Plows are frequently left stand- 

 ing in the ground with the damp earth in contact with the polished 

 mould-board and land side. The consequence is that a thick scale 

 of rust is formed over the entire surface, thus destroying more 

 metal than would actually wear off in one or two days, when the 

 implement is in use. 



The true way to take care of such tools, is to wipe the polished 

 surface dry, and oil it with any kind of oleaginous material which 

 has no saline material in it, or to varnish the surface. Salt grease, 

 or oil of any kind having salt in it, will soon form a heavy scale 

 of rust on a bright surface of iron or steel. 



Mowers and reapers are frequently made entirely of iron and 

 steel; and because the parts are all made of such material, it is 

 taken for granted that the weather cannot do them any injury. 

 But when exposed to alternate sunshine and rain, the polished sur- 

 face of the bearings soon has a scale of rust on one side of the 

 journals. The consequence is, that after a little exposure of this 

 kind, the bearings begin to wear out on one side. Rust renders 

 the smooth surface rough, so that in a short time either the bear- 

 ings, or the boxes in which the polished bearings work, are so 

 badly cut out that those parts must be removed. Instead of wear- 

 ing out, the machines rust out, simply for want of proper protec- 

 tion from the weather. 



The wood work of many kinds of farm implements often gives 

 out, in consequence of water in the joints, which soon rots the ten- 

 nons, and the wood at the mortises. Almost all kinds of wooden 

 farm implements fail first at the joints. Protection insures their 

 durability. Sleighs are often left standing on the w^et ground, 

 when a thick rust will soon form, and thus rust away more iron 

 than will be w^orn away in a month, when the implement or machine 

 is in active sei-vice. 



As soon as a farm implement has performed its last task, for the 

 season, let the parts be cleaned, oiled and stored in some dry place. 

 By taking a machine apart, it can many times be elevated to. the 

 attic of a hay barn, supported by a few plank, or poles. 



Adjourned. 



