CHAPTER LVIII 



THE GAS TRACTOR 



The Utility of the Gas Tractor. The gas tractor — and 

 reference is here made to the tractor with the internal-com- 

 bustion engine — has developed faster during the past ten 

 years than has any other machine used on the farm. On the 

 broad prairies, where the conditions are the most favorable 

 for its use, it is rapidly taking first place over the horse; and in 

 less favorable localities, where intertilled crops are grown, 

 the gas tractor is being successfully tried out. All this has 



Fig. 



236. A small gas tractor plowing. It may be successfully 

 operated by one man. 



taken place despite the fact that ten years ago the gas tractor 

 was an unusual sight. No one reason can be given for this 

 increase in power farming. The new broad open fields of the 

 West, the rapid development of the internal-combustion 



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