TRACTORS AND HORSES IN THE WINTER WHEAT BELT. 37 
COST OF USING TRACTORS IN 1922 AND 1923. 
The prices of tractors declined considerably in 1921 and 1922, and 
prices of fuel and oil were somewhat lower during 1922 and 1923 
than during the year covered by the investigation. Tables 43 and 
44 show the approximate average cost in 1922 and 1923 of using simi- 
lar tractors purchased at prices current in 1922 and 1923 and doing 
the same amount of work as was done by the machines on the farms 
surveyed. The depreciation figures shown in each table were ob- 
tained by dividing the first cost during the year by the average 
estimated life as obtained from the tractor owners. The interest 
charge was computed at 8 per cent of the first cost. The cost for 
repairs and upkeep are the same as the 1921 costs obtained from the 
farmers. The approximate tank-wagon prices to farmers of gaso- 
line, kerosene, and lubricating oil in these areas during the year 
ended August 1, 1922, were 21 cents, 12 cents, and 70 cents per gal- 
lon respectively; in 1923, 20 cents, 11 cents, and 67 cents respectively. 
The costs for fuel and oil, as shown in Tables 43 and 44, were obtained 
by charging the amounts used for drawbar work in 1921 at the 
above prices. 
TABLE 43.—1922 cost of using tractors. 
| 
Southern} Western | Northern All farms 
| area. | area. area. 
Syst Le 2 ee ae ee ee dollars..| 1, 100 1, 100 1, 000 1, 065 
CE SEEDED et DG en eee years. . 6.8 6.3 7.4 6.8 
Ur a ee SO pe eee dollars. . 162 | 175 135 157 
a SUTEEG1 SUE Pee Le See ee Ee ee ee ee doz 2-. 50 | 51 45 49 
Annual cost Ofrepairs and upkeep --:.------.-:--.----..- dete =| 106 | 46 57 71 
Tn: eee do 318 | 272 | 237.00 | 277 
Per cent drawbar work is of total........-.----- get arg 83 83 73 80 
Annual cost of depreciation, interest, and repairs for drawbar 
OU" BOT TE, Da en ee ee dollars. -| 264 226 173 222 
Annual cost offuel for drawbar work: | 
VBISG a. Boh tg ie i on ee ae ae Oe ee d0.222 112 72 23 68 
USUI SC ee ee Ree ane dos: 36 45 40 40 
Cost oflubricating oil for drawbar work ..........--------- do..-: 40 38 24 34 
€ost per year for draw bar work ..--.---..--..-.------s---- do....| 452 381 260 364 
Post perhourtordraw Dar WOLEK...2. 5s. s2224-.-551...2.22- GO=sce 1. 24 | 1.09 1. 28 1.21 
Cest of drawbar work, 1922 percentage of 1921.........-......-.-- 77 73 73 75 
TABLE 44.—1923 cost of using tractors. 
| South- | West- | North- | All 
erm area. | ern area. | ern area.| farms. 
2 lS? COS GUA eae Se re ee ee dollars 1, 100 1,075 960 1, 045 
io SSSEOT 03 Oe le I ee years 6.8 6.3 7.4 6.8 
PUMP MEMEOrnION._..-.5.. 52-2 - 2 s<-ss=0----2 2 toe dollars. . 162 171 130 | 154 
SUITES Stig Rete ee eee ee dor 50 50 44 48 
Annual cost of repairs and upkeep.....---...--.----.-.---- de: 5-. 106 46 57 71 
Do et a ee do 318| 267 231 273 
Percent drawbar work is of total... .--.......s-2.-2:-s2-ee00--s 83 83 73 80 
Annual cost of depreciation, interest, and repairs for drawbar 
Wiis. Ac ea! Bee Aen ae ey sae ies ee ee dollars. . 264 222 169 218 
Annual cost of fuel for drawbar work 
GOEL Eee Og ee er ee os es et adore: 106 69 22 65 
LEU STS PG ec ee me Sa Ay A ae eee dos: 33 42 37 37 
Cost of lubricating oil for drawbar work................-- doe == 38 36 23 32 
Cost per year for drawbar work..........-.....-----.---- do. i... 441 369 251 352 
Cast perhoeur, for. draw bar Work... =. ....-2.2..-.2-2-s22 dos. 1.21 1.05 1. 24 1.16 
Cost of drawbar work, 1923 percentage of 1921.-..-........-..--. 75 17 70 7 
