FARM STRUCTURES 477 



THE FARM SHOP 



Utility. From an extensive investigation on the life and 

 care of farm machinery in Colorado, it is reported * that 71.36 

 per cent of the farm machinery on farms not having shops 

 needed repairs, while only 59.25 per cent on farms having 

 shops needed repairs. These facts are taken by the writer of 

 the bulletin to mean that the farm shop has a "real value 

 beyond the occasional emergency job." 



It is well-nigh impossible to maintain the efficiency of the 

 farm equipment without a liberally equipped shop. It is 

 not so much a matter of saving a few dollars by doing repair 

 jobs, as it is a matter of getting the work done. 



The Location. The location of the farm shop should be 

 similar to that described for the implement house; indeed 

 it may be made a part of or an addition to the implement 

 house, as its usefulness is largely directed toward the farm 

 machinery. If a forge is installed, due thought should be 

 taken of danger from fire. The location may also be selected 

 with reference to any small stationary engine or other source 

 of power the farm may have, so that the same power may 

 be available for tools in the shop. 



The Size. The farm shop may be built large enough to 

 house a wagon or similar implement, or it may be just large 

 enough to contain a bench and tools and furnish the minimum 

 amount of working room. A shop 16 by 20 feet will be 

 needed to accommodate large machines. On the other hand, 

 a shop 8 by 10 feet will house a bench, a forge, and an anvil, 

 and may be considered the minimum size for practical pur- 

 poses. 



Construction. The house should afford comfortable 

 quarters for work during cold weather. If made wind- 



♦Bulletin No. 167, Colorado Agricultural Experiment Station. 



