40 BULLETIN 114, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 
The physical condition of the land determines largely the degree of 
success which can be obtained with a tractor. The ideal conditions 
are large, level fields, free from obstructions, such as trees, stumps, 
rocks, holes, and ditches, with a soil firm enough to furnish a solid 
footing for the drive wheels, yet not sufficiently hard to make an' exces- 
sive draft on the plows. 
But the most important qualification is efficient management and 
operation. This has been touched upon, but can not be overempha- 
sized. For the operator to be able to start and stop the motor and to 
steer the outfit skillfully is not enough. He must understand his 
tractor thoroughly,, and not only be able to locate quickly any trouble 
which occurs and remedy the same promptly, but he must be capable 
of avoiding a great man}- of the troubles commonly experienced with 
tractors, by frequent inspection of the bearings, ignition system, etc., 
thus keeping them in first-class condition at all times. 
Not only in the actual operation of the tractor does the efficient 
tractioneer contribute to the success of the outfit, but by carefully 
studying the work to be done and planning it so as to allow the trac- 
tor to work to the greatest advantage at all times. If the land is 
rolling he will so lay out his work that the tractor will ascend on the 
easiest grades and descend on the steepest. If the farm is laid out 
in square or irregular fields he will replan it so as to have the fields 
as long as possible, thus lessening the number of turns which will be 
required. He will fill in holes and ditches where practicable and 
remove obstructions in order to facilitate the tractor's work. He 
will recognize the fact that work can not be done with a tractor in 
exactly the same manner as with horses, and to attempt to do so is 
not only unfair to the tractor but is inviting failure. In many cases 
a change in crop rotation will be of great advantage. Where a 
tractor is used the crops raised should be such as can be planted and 
harvested with the tractor, thus reducing the number of horses which 
must be kept. 
The necessity of having tractor owners properly trained for the 
operation of their outfits has been recognized by most manufac- 
turers, and several have established schools for their customers 
where they can be instructed by experts in the care arid operation of 
the tractor. The tractor salesmen have also realized that in selling 
outfits to men who are incompetent to operate them they are not 
only injuring their own interests, but those of the tractor trade in 
general. 
A number of agricultural colleges have added courses in tractioneer- 
ing, and there are several privately conducted tractor schools. It is 
believed that most farmers who contemplate purchasing a tractor 
would find it well worth while to take a short course in tractioneering 
