104 
Methods of Harvesting Corn Crops. 
Cost of Reaping Machines per Day. 
Tlie principal item in this system is the cost of binding, 
stooking, and raking after the machine, which seldom is less 
than 4s. 6d. per acre, and occasionally in the fen district is 
as high as 8s. Medium crops of wheat are tied and stooked 
for 5s. 6d. per acre, and this figure may be assumed as fairly 
representing an average. Reaping machines, being less com- 
plicated than binders, last longer and require fewer repairs. 
Two or three horses are required, and a relay will also be 
advisable in order to keep the work going constantly through- 
out the day. The binder twine is also saved. The estimated 
cost will therefore be : — 
With four horses With six horses 
worked alternately worked alternately 
£ 
s. 
d. 
£ 
s. 
d. 
Horses at 2s. Qd. 
0 
10 
0 
0 
15 
0 
One man driving 
One man cutting corners and 
0 
4 
0 
0 
4 
0 
sharpening knives 
0 
4 
0 
0 
4 
0 
One boy ..... 
0 
2 
0 
0 
2 
0 
Oil 
0 
1 
0 
0 
1 
0 
Use of emery grinder 
Interest, wear, tear, and repair 
on 2 61. at 15 per cent., spread 
0 
1 
0 
0 
1 
0 
over twelve days . 
0 
6 
6 
0 
6 
6 
Cost per acre if twelve acres 
£1 
8 
6 
£1 
13 
6 
are cut 
Add cost of tying, stooking, and 
0 
2 
41 
0 
2 
9* 
raking, let by piece 
0 
5 
6 
0 
5 
6 
Total cost . 
£0 
7 
10* 
£0 
8 
31 
The difference in cost in favour of the self-binder appears 
to be about 33 per cent. On the basis of twelve acres in 
either case it amounts to 2s. Id. per acre. The advantage of 
the binder will be more apparent when the price paid for 
tying, &c., is above 5s. 6d. per acre. 
Actual Cost of Different Systems. 
It is impossible to contrast past and present, as the circum- 
stances are totally different. We could not obtain labour for 
hand reaping even if we wished, but in recent years when 
crops have been very much laid and twisted, 11. per acre has 
been paid. Mowing is more frequently used, but entails a cost 
of 12s. per acre. The same work done by the reaping machine 
is reduced to 7s. 10 \d. or 8s. 3 \d. per acre, and if done by the 
self-binder to 5s. id. or 6s. Sd. per acre. 
Back Delivery Reaping Machines. 
The “reaping attachment,” or combined reaper and mower, 
is used on small farms in which the area under corn would not 
