378 Covers for Corn Stooks and Hay Cocks. [July. 



track actually in contact with the ground should be not less than 

 36 square inches in respect of each ton of the unladen weight of the 

 tractor. 



(xi) An agricultural tractor should be permitted to draw only one 

 trailer but no trailer should be drawn when the tractor is drawing agricul- 

 tural machinery or agricultural implements running on their own wheels. 



(xii) It is not proposed that Paragraphs (v), (vi),(vii), (ix), (x), (xi) 

 above should apply in the case of agricultural tractors not exceeding 

 10 cwt. in weight unladen. 



It is understood that an Order based upon these recommenda- 

 tions will be issued shortly by the Minister of Transport. The 

 practical effect will be that owners of tractors will by the dates 

 laid down in the Order (not necessarily those recommended by 

 the Committee) have to ensure that their tractors when travelling 

 on the road are properly equipped. The provisions entailing 

 most trouble to farmers to be included in the Order if the recom- 

 mendations of the Committee are adopted, are those relating to 

 steering wheels and brakes. Where the steering wheels have a 

 non-detachable sharp projecting flange, it will presumably be 

 necessary to fit bands which will make the surface flush ; in point 

 of fact an owner who at present permits any such tractor to be 

 driven on the highway runs a very serious risk, and the recom- 

 mendation is in accordance with the precautions at present taken 

 by reasonable users of the road. It will not be disputed that the 

 brakes required by the Committee are for the safety both of the 

 driver and other users of the highway. 



It is to be anticipated that tractors in future placed upon the 

 market will comply strictly with any Order that may be issued, 

 and any inconvenience which it may cause will be limited to the 

 transition period when owners are under the necessity of adapting 

 their machines to the new requirements. 



Ix view of the difficulty of successfully harvesting corn and 

 hay (particularly clover, lucerne, tares, etc.) in wet weather, the 

 Covers for Ministry in 1920 had small tests carried 

 Corn Stooks and ou * w ^ a °^ ev * ce ooverm g corn stooks, 

 Ha Cocks an( ^ * n k°* n 00111 stooks and hay cocks. 

 ^ ' 1920 Trials. — Description of Covers. — 



The covers tested in 1920 were of semi-glazed heavy 

 paper, which was claimed to be water proof, and they 

 were six feet in length, and in the shape of a cot- 

 tage roof. They were intended to cover and protect from 

 rain and birds stooks of from 10 to 12 sheaves each. The 



