428 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER 
May 25 , 
A CHEAP POWER. 
A mowing machine that will not cut 
grass, but with good gears, makes a good 
power to run a wood-saw or such light 
tools. Take off the cutter bar, set the 
left-hand wheel flat on the ground, fasten 
to blocks set in the ground. Take off 
the pitman wheel shaft and put in one 
long enough to reach beyond your tongue 
or pole with a two-foot pulley. Clamp 
your pole on the side of the other wheel. 
Put horse on the end of the pole and you 
have a sweep power c. H. g. 
Eagle Bridge, N. Y. 
In regard to the conversion of a worn- 
out mowing machine into a sweep power, 
while this is possible and has frequently 
been attempted with more or less success, 
such a power is never very satisfactory, 
while the cost, in the end, usually comes 
pretty close to what would be paid for a 
simple sweep power which would do 
much more satisfactory work. The prac¬ 
tice is not one worth encouraging except 
in those cases where an emergency 
arises when such a makeshift permits a 
man, for the time being, to do advant¬ 
ageously what he could not otherwise 
accomplish. f. h. king. 
TALKS ABOUT HAYING TOOLS. 
I feel sorry for the man who leaves his 
machine out in the field, or hack of the barn, 
from August to July; but as the shortened 
life of the machine, and the inferior work 
that it accomplishes, has not appealed to him 
in the past, 1 am sure no word of mine will 
change his system. It is strange how many 
farmers do this very thing. On a recent drive 
of 27 miles through a fairly good farming 
section, I counted 11 mowing machines, three 
tedders and seven horse-rakes, basking in the 
smiles of a January snowstorm. Manufactur¬ 
ers of mowing machines have told me that 
they considered it made all, or more than 
one-half the difference in the efficiency and 
life of mowing and reaping machines if they 
are kept under cover when not in use. 
When we are about to commence haying, 
If the machine is put on the barn floor, and 
carefully turned by hand, with the clutch 
thrown out, and every connection and bearing 
closely examined, there will usually be found 
several places that need a little “fixing,” al¬ 
ways remembering that at our county fairs, 
it's the new machine that has the field trial, 
and takes the prize, and our object should be 
to make our machine just as close to what it 
was when it was new as possible. In every 
case take up all the wear and lost motion 
possible without binding. Frequently the clips 
or sickle holders become su worn, that the 
scythe bar rolls up, in service, and causes 
lots of friction in the guards. I have seen 
one machine where the “sections” were worn 
very thin from this cause. Where the clip 
is attached with bolts, a thin piece of leather 
on the back will sometimes bring it into fair 
shape; but it will pay to get new clips if nec¬ 
essary, and if you have to order repairs, make 
It a point to do so several days before you 
leed to use them. Frequently a section gets bent 
a little, and so binds in the guard. See that 
all bolts are in place, and nuts well tightened 
up. In grinding the sections I prefer a me¬ 
dium grit grindstone, and the bevel should be 
kept just as it was when new; this is impor¬ 
tant, and the nearer every one is alike, the 
easier the machine will cut. When sections 
are worn or ground to a point, put in new 
ones. I have so much trouble in getting good 
lard oil that I use gas engine cylinder oil. 
You can’t get too good oil. Unless your land 
is rolled every Spring, it is not much use to 
try to cut on the lowest notch of your ma¬ 
chine, though if your land will stand it, it 
will make several hundred pounds difference 
in the yield of hay per acre. Personally, I 
consider the land roller one of my best “hay¬ 
ing tools.” 
After the mowing machine comes the ted¬ 
der, and this machine, (I speak of the grass¬ 
hopper kind) needs particular attention, be¬ 
fore going into its annual whirl. It is hard 
work for one horse to run it, much more so 
than the mower, but it does not have to be 
used so long, and though hard on the horse, it 
is great on the grass, and many a time 
makes the difference between the haycock and 
haymow. Nothing should be loose about this 
machine, and if your land is not pretty level, 
have some one handle it who can use the ad¬ 
justing lever on up grades, in order to save 
your forks. The self-dumping hayrake is one 
of our best tools, and raking, bunching, and 
gathering scatterings comes easy to it. Its 
life depends on Its care, full as much as the 
mower or tedder. The breakages usually come 
from turning it around too short, which is 
hard for the horse, bad for the land and 
destructive to the teeth and ratchets. A lit¬ 
tle swing saves them all, and better work is 
accomplished. See that the clearing bars are 
all in their place, and in line with one an¬ 
other. It is these bars that are responsible 
for clean or slovenly raking, and they do not 
usually receive the attention they deserve. 
As the hay crop in Connecticut exceeds in 
value that of any other crop raised in the 
State, it should be given our attention more 
largely, and brought into market in a condi¬ 
tion that would give it its highest value. 
No one thing will tend toward this result 
so much as good tools, in good condition, 
and well handled. chas. q. eldridge. 
Connecticut. 
To commence with, get a machine that is 
giving good satisfaction among the farmers 
in your immediate neighborhood ; a machine 
that has a local agent who you know is an 
honorable man. Don't buy some new creation 
that may go out of existence in a year or 
two; let some other man do the experiment¬ 
ing. Stick to the machine that you know is 
all right. When you get ready to mow don’t 
forget to oil up; oil up often. Some parts 
want oil much oftener than others, and more 
liberally. Feel of the bearings occasionally, 
and if warm put on more oil. I have heard 
men brag that their machine did not need 
oiling more than a half dozen times in a 
whole forenoon. That kind of man needs a 
new machine quicker than one who oils ju¬ 
diciously. It is not necessary to daub the 
machine all up to have it run nicely. I used 
to get my sons to oil my wagon when I went 
to the city, and from the way the hub and 
axle gathered dust and dirt it was easy to 
see that it was vastly overdone. The livery- 
stable keeper said to me one day : “Why do 
you use so much grease? Better save some 
and grease the dash.” 
If any casting gives out the nearby agent 
ought to have it on hand. I buy an extra 
driving rod, a dozen knives, and bolts or rivets 
by the pound to keep things going. When 
through haying don’t back the machines into 
a fence corner or under a tree; the rust ac¬ 
cumulating from this exposure will wear out 
the machine more than two years’ wear. Put 
the tools in a building with good roof and 
sides; put them in the minute you finish using 
them, while they are bright, and save your¬ 
self money and bother. On most machines in 
a conspicuous place is “Keep all bearings well 
oiled and nuts screwed tight.” Carelessness 
of this injunction means trouble. 
Connecticut. newton osborn. 
I think it proper when through with a 
machine of any kind thoroughly to clean all 
parts that would tend to rust, then dry a 
cloth and oil, and last (best of all), put 
them in a dry place where not even the slight¬ 
est fog may get to them. I think that all 
shares, shovels, shoes, drill points and all 
polished ground tools should be removed from 
main tools and thoroughly cleaned and well 
oiled, and then put In a dry place, such as a 
tool shop, and all main tools put in a shed 
or barn where there is a board or cement 
floor. When you put them on a ground floor 
they are bound to rust. All geared tools 
should have the best place in the barn. I 
think they will keep the best on a good plank 
or cement floor. People should be more care¬ 
ful w r ith their farm tools, for every time 
they let them remain out in the weather they 
will get rusty, and then when next used they 
seem to run heavily and worry a team. It 
is no wonder; the team has to pull and tug 
until all of the rust is knocked off. Take a 
mower, for instance, and let it remain from 
year to year, and just take a look at it; 
then, on the other hand, take one that has 
been kept in the dry; you can see the differ¬ 
ence at a glance. Another point is to keep 
the sickle sharp. Did you ever wonder what 
was the matter with your machine when you 
were out cutting grass? You could hear the 
sickle chug and stop, and go over to the 
sickle bar and behold the sickle bar as dull 
as a hoe, and not only dull, but all gummed 
up so tight that the sickle could scarcely 
move. Long beforeryou reach that point grind 
your sickle, give it a good bevel, not too 
short or not too long, and, see that all ledger 
plates are tight and that there is no dirt 
or gum under them. Watch the pitman fas¬ 
teners closely that they do not work tight 
or get loose, and keep them well oiled, 
for if they once get hot they are liable to 
give you considerable trouble. A mower ought 
to run smoothly and do fine work by hav¬ 
ing everything in good running order, and let 
the team take a moderate gait; then you 
can go right along and get a lot of hay cut 
down, and when you are through your mower 
is cool as a cucumber, and your team will 
be ready for their feed. Otherwise they 
might be so tired and nervous that they 
would not feel able to eat. b. 8. 
Plqua, Ohio. 
Time to Cut Hay. —We believe the ideal 
period to cut clover Is when it Is in full 
bloom and heads are about turning color. 
With Timothy we would cut just as soon as 
blossom appears, as that time of its growth 
will make the most palatable hay. 
Middlesex Co., N. J. p. c. lewis. 
ALL OVER THE WORLD 
<C 
RUBEROID 
TRADE MARK REG U S- PAT OFFICE 
ROOFING 
IN ALL CLIMATES 
Can be used anywhere, under all conditions. Extremes of Temper¬ 
ature do not affect it. Protects the building from the heat of the sun 
and shuts out the icy blasts of Winter. Outlasts metal and shingles. 
Contains no tar or paper. Will not rot, melt, tear or corrode. 
Weather Proof, Durable, Fire Resisting. 
RUBEROID is, and has been for over fifteen years, the standard 
ready to lay roofing in all parts of the globe. 
Do not accept imitations. The genuine material has the name 
“RUBEROID” stamped on the under side, every four feet. 
Write for samples and prices 
THE STANDARD PAINT COMPANY, 
General Offices! 100 WILLIAM STREET, NEW YORK. 
BRANCHES: CHICAGO BOSTON PHILADELPHIA ST. LOUIS KANSAS CITY ATLANTA 
No one else makes 
you so liberal a 
trial offer. Our 
$25,000 bank bond 
guarantees you 
that any buggy you 
buy of us will stay 
right two years, 
And you can •‘Try an 
ANDERTON 
with your money In 
your pocket.*' 
Absolutely no money 
or note required 
while you use the 
buggy 30 days. 
Write for catalog 
and selling plan. 
9R nA HI A R RQ by express, or 15 by mail, pre- 
Zd UMllLlfl DULDo J)a id, for $1.00. 300 choice 
varieties in this collection. Many fine new Cactus 
and Decorative, all different but unnamed. 
V. STONEItOAD, Yeagertown, Pa. 
ATTENTION! 
Gardeners and Truck Farmers. 
The Early Tomatoes bring big money. 35,000 
Earliana, June Pink, Noltes Earliest, Eariibell, 
75(5 per 100; $0.00 per 1,000; hothouse grown; frame 
hardened; fine, stocky, transplanted plants, 8-10 in. 
Cash. Satisfaction guaranteed. 
PECKHAM BROS., R. F. D. 3, Norwich, Conn. 
ALFALFA 
J. E, Wing & Bros,, Box 23 
—Best seed for gale. Write 
forsaruples, prices, andFRKE 
directions “523” on growing. 
Mechanicsbiirg, O. 
j or Eutaw, Ala. 
The 
ANDERTON 
Mfg. Co. 
1 9 Third Street a 
Cincinnati, Ohio. 
Save $10 to $20 
BY BUYING FROM US AT 
WHOLESALE PRICES 
This Splendidly Built Two-Seated 
FARMER’S HANDY 
WAGON, 
F OR SALE—Crimson Clover Seed, #4.50 bushel. 
Red Clover Seed, #7.50 and S>8.00 bushel 
Onion sets. #2.00 and #2.50 bushel. Cow Peas 
#2.50 to #2.75 bushel. Joseph E. Holland, Milford, Del. 
CTRAWBEBRV PLANTS—None better grown. Buy 
direct from a specialist. Catalogue free. 
GEO. R. SCHAUBER, Box R, Ballston Lake. N.Y. 
S WEET POTATO PLANTS FOR SALE. 
Jersey Yellow and Big Stem, $1.25 per M. Plants 
~ Vir 
ready May 20. 
John Casazza, Vineland, N. J. 
FULL CROP 1908 FROM 0UR MID-SUMMER 
for List. 
STRAWBERRY PLANTS. Send 
Kevitt’s Plant Farm, Athenia, N. J. 
BEST GATE 5?| 
FARMER, STOCKMAN, POULTRYMAN AND CITY RESIDENT 
made in wood or galvanized steel. 
The Weston Gate slides and Bwtngs, does not bind, sag nor 
dragj works easily as a door, does away with extra walk gates j 
endorsed by hundreds of Farmers. You can buy our attach¬ 
ments, make your own gates and save money. We pay freight 
and sell on trial. Catalog and prices free. 
WESTON GATE COMPANY, Bo« 32, NORTH DOVER, OHIO. 
$ 49.75 
WITH . 
SHAFTS 
Many other styles of stuctly high-grade wagons at 
factory cost. (Each and every part strictly guaran¬ 
teed). We want to prove that we can sell you a New 
York State Wagon at the lowest price ever quoted on 
this grade of work. Send postal for our Free < 'arriage 
Catalogue of over 70 different styles, with Wholesale 
Price List. 
THE ROCHESTER VEHICLE CO., 
362 Main St., Rochester, N. Y. 
STEEL 
WHEELS 
with wide tires double the use¬ 
fulness of the farm wagon. 
We furnish them any size to 
fit any axle. Cheaper than re¬ 
pairing old wheels. Catalogue/ree. 
EMPIRE MFG. CO., BoxTOa, Quincy, III. 
i—l 
Stays Tigbtl 
" Doesn't get loose or wobbly! 
like ordinary woven vrirel 
fences. Stronger, heavier and| 
” far more durable than others. 
"FROST WIRE FENCE! 
is the most practical fencing known. Coiled! 
steel wire—heavy steel stays—locked together.! 
freight paid. Catalogue free—tells all about fences.| 
THE FROST WIRE FENCE CO., Cleveland, Ohio. 
H. B. DRAKE k CO., 90 WeatStreet, New York. 
ROSSMAN LAWN FENCE 
(STEEL AND IRON) 
combines the strength of a stone wall 
with the beauty of a hedge. More durable 
than wrought Iron and erected at med¬ 
ium cost. Ask for Catalog I. Write today. 
SLEETH, BROOK & SEAMAN CO., 
253 Broadway Now York City 
Binder Twine 
Farmers wanted as agentB 
AUGUST POST, 
Moulton, ~ Iowa. 
A Never Failing Water Supply, 
with absolute safety, at small cost may be bad by using the 
Improved Rider Hot Air Pumping Engine and 
Improved Ericsson Hot Air Pumping Engine. 
Built by us for more than 30 years and sold in every country in the world. Exclu¬ 
sively intended for pumping water. May be run by any ignorant boy or woman. 
So well built that their durability is yet to be determined, engines which were sold 
30 years ago being still in active service. 
Send stamp for “C4” Catalogue to nearest office. 
RIDER-ER1CSSON ENGINE CO., 
35 Warren St., New York. 239 Franklin St., Boston. 
40 Dearborn SL, Chicago. 234 Craig SL, West, Montreal, P. Q. 
40 North JUt St., Philadelphia. 22 Pitt St., Sydney, N. 8. W. ’ 
Amargura 96, Havana, Cuba. 
APPLE TREES 
KTOTHIKTGr BUT A' P 'H 'f .Ti w 
ROGERS ON THE HILL, Dansvillo, N. Y. 
