466 MAIZE 



CHAP. Machines of this type gather and cut the maize and drop it 



on the platform. When there is enough to start a shock, the 

 horse is stopped and the shock is set up. 



439. Cost and Efficiency of Harvesters. — The different 

 forms of maize harvesters vary in price from $5 (£l) to $55 

 (;£ii), and "while their low cost is a great advantage, their 

 degree of efficiency is not very high. The cheap sled harvesters 

 can be used only when the corn stands straight, and the 

 horse must walk rather fast in order that the work may be 

 perfectly done. It is also hard work for the men to gather and 

 shock the corn. The work of harvesting corn is such that only 

 the best construction can withstand the strain for any great 

 while, hence these machines are being used less than formerly." 



The following figures indicate the cost and efficiency of 

 these machines : — 



Area of maize cut per day . 2 to 10 acres. 



Use of machine and repairs . 84 cents per da} - 18 cents per acre. 



Twine ..... ig ,, „ 4 ,, ,, 



Expenses for one horse and man §>2'75 ,, ,, 58-5 ,, ,, 



,, of second man . $1*75 ,•, ,, 37-5 ,, ,, 

 Average area cut and shocked per day by two men 



and one horse, with sled harvester . . . 4'67 acres. 



Area cut by one man with a knife .... 1-47 ,, 



Cost of harvesting per acre ..... 55 cents to $2. 



,, ,, ,, (average of all reports) . -$i*i8 



Cost of harvesting by hand, per acre .... ^1-50 



Saving in favour of the machines .... 32 cents. 



440. The Maize Binder. — The maize binder is a machine 

 drawn, usually, by horses, and so designed that it will cut off 

 the maize stalks near the roots, pick up any lodged plants 

 lying across the rows, and bind the stalks into bundles. There 

 are three different forms of maize binder, the vertical, the 

 horizontal, and the inclined ; the last is a blend of the other 

 two rather than a distinct type. These implements differ 

 only in the relative position of their several parts, which are 

 essentially the same in all. These are : the dividers, which 

 pick up the lodged stalks, except such as lie in the row (i.e. in 

 the direction in which the machine is travelling), and guide them 

 to the cutting apparatus ; the latter consists of a serrated knife 

 which passes to and fro across two stationary blades, one 



