HARVESTING MACHINERY 



371 



shocker. The advantage and preference lie with the corn binder 

 chiefly for the following reasons. The shocker, so called, does not 

 make shocks that are large enough, and it is a heavy, cumbersome ma- 

 chine. The fodder is in a less suitable form to be handled and there 

 is much more loss due to exposure. The advantage of having the fod- 

 der in bundles is greatly in favor of the work of the corn binder. Only 

 about one-half as much can be cut in one season as with a corn binder. 



CORN BINDER AT WORK. 



This machine is used to cut standing corn that is to be saved for the fodder 

 or ensilage. 



' Probably among corn harvesting machines the corn binder has 

 proved itself the most economical and useful to the farmer. When we 

 compare it with the primitive methods we find that it is invaluable to 

 the corn raiser who harvests for fodder or ensilage. The period when 

 corn fodder is just right for ensilage or fodder is only a few days 

 in duration. Here the corn binder has a decided advantage, for with 

 it three men and two teams can put seven acres into the shock in one 

 day, while by the hand method one acre per man is considered a fair 

 day's work; thus a man is able to cut and shock twice as much by the 

 use of the corn binder as against hand methods. 



The life of a corn binder will be good for i,ooo acres. The first 

 cost is about $125. Allowing $50 for repairs, it will amount to $175. 

 or on the basis of 1,000 acres the machine cost will be about 20 cents 

 per acre. Allowing $2.00 per day for men, $2.00 per day for each 

 team, and about 50 cents per acre for twine, the approximate cost of 



