Life; and Care of Farm Machinery in Coeorado. 7 
they are actually needed. Of course, in the case of parts that break 
unexpectedly, due to defects or accidents, the operator has a reason¬ 
able excuse for not forseeing the trouble. But in cases where parts 
are worn, or weakened, there is little excuse for not making repairs 
long before the machine is to be operated again. In some cases 
it may be desirable to operate the old part for some time after it is 
badly worn. Under such conditions, good judgment demands the 
keeping of the extra part on hand ready to be substituted when 
occasion demands. As a worn part often ruins some unworn part, 
it is often advisable to replace the badly worn part at once. The 
main gear on a binder is an excellent example of the last mentioned 
case. After the pinion becomes worn, it is likely to either cut out 
the gear wheel or slip cogs, thus endangering chains and other 
gears. 
It is advisable to place a tag upon each machine at the end of 
the season, stating just what repairs and adjustments are needed, 
so that these may be secured or made during the time when work 
is not pressing. 
The investigation, which was carried on in May and June, 
showed that out of 1,716 machines (not including any discarded 
machines) 60.6 per cent were not in need of repairs. 27.15 per 
cent were in need of repairs according to statements received on 
the farms. The investigator could easily see, without careful ex¬ 
amination, that 18.6 per cent of the machines needed repairs that 
were not reported. On 109 or 6.35 per cent of the machines the 
investigation showed that repairs in addition to those reported 
on the farms were needed. (The discrepancy of 6.35 per cent is 
thus explained.) 
Sharpening .—There is little doubt in the minds of experienced 
farmers but that dull implements do an inferior grade of work, 
and at the same time, they unnecessarily increase the draft. 
In general, with the exception of the smoothing harrow, the 
implements investigated proved to be as sharp as could reasonably 
be expected. Plows, disc harrows, cultivators and weeders were 
found to be in first class condition so far as sharpening was con¬ 
cerned. On the other hand, the smoothing harrow, one of the most 
important of farm implements, was found to be too dull for good 
service in 77 per cent of the investigated cases. Nearly 7 per 
cent of the harrows were too nearly new to be badly dulled, while 
only 16 per cent of the harrows had had the teeth reversed or 
sharpened. In the records of the dry farming sections over 83 
per cent of the harrows (not including new ones) were sharp. In 
a great many cases, all that was necessary was the reversing of 
the teeth in order to give all the advantage of the sharp harrow, 
yet in only a few cases had this been done. 
