AGRIMOTOR NOTES.
Page 19
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An Interesting Coincidence—Tractor Meetings in the U.S.A.—Are Government Tractors Doing Their Full Toll of Work ?
RATHER AN INTERESTING coincidence is reported in connection with a tractor ploughing demonstration recently held in Scotland. The land ploughed is on the farm of Mr. J. J. Mowbray, -.Naemoor, Rumbling Bridge, and it has not been under cultivation for over 40 years. When it was last ploughed, in the time of the present proprietor's father, it was done. at a demonstration of steam ploughing, from which great things were once peeted. The steam plough did the work quite well, but the farmers of that day were not prepared for the use of machinery on the land, and little encouragement was givento a promising idea.
This particular land hag since then been turned into grass land, but the demand for additional cultivation compelled it to be turned aver. The ploughing was done by a Wallis Cub tractor, drawing a eliar plough, and, despite the very tough nature of the soil, the presence of many large stones, and some severe gradients, this tractor has given much--satisfaction, and farmers in Kinross-shire are greatly impressed with the possibilities of agriraotor farming.
• Tractor Tests in U.S.A.
Hitherto, in the U.S.A. as well as in this country, tractor meetings have taken the form of demonstrations rather than of comparative and competitive officially carried out tests. It has now been decided that the time has arrived across the Atlantic when something more than demonstrations to show that tractors will work is required, and a great test meeting has been projected for 1918, which will probably be held in the neighbourhood of Cleveland or Detroit. It is estimated that close on 5000 acres will be required to carry out the tests, which will be comyarative and will deal with the following points :— (1) Fuel consumption in ploughing, discing and other kinds of field work.
(2) Tests in regard to tractive efficiency of different types of wheels and wheel equipment. These tests will also include tests with a wheel or wheels running in the furrow, as well as on unploughed ground and also similar tests on ploughed ground.
(3) Tests in regard to steering mechanism and turn. ing ability will be carried out, and
(I) A series of comparative tests on power actually delivered at the belt pulley will be made. Comparative trials such as these should un-: doubtedly prove very interesting.and ought to be proi ductive of valuable data..
A Pertinent Inquiry.
I wonder howmany of the agrimotors that came over a year or so ago and were supplied through Government 'Departments are still doing their full toll of work ? And, if they are not, whether the reason is known to the Departments? What I have in mind is the possibility of a machine being put out of commission through the breakage of a part (large or small), and, after petha.ps a '1..fitless inquiry for a replacement, discarded. . It is probably the case that the particular make of agrimotor thus concerned is now represented in this country by an agent by whom spare parts are carried in stock. The need for a scrutiny of the list of agrimotor distributors is very obvious, for the country cannot afford to have these machines lying idle---although Lam afraid that many are idle for more hours than they are busy.
Government Tractors in Wales.
The Government agrimotors are busy in Wales. At a demonstrationA yen a few days ago at St. Asaph, in connection with the Government ploughing scheme, the work eAecuted by the 20 li.p. Titan with a threefurrow Ransome plough and a single-cylinder Samson drawing a two-furrow Howard plough created a highly-favourable impression among the large attendance of farmers. • The behaviour of the machines left nothing to be desired. The event was arranged by Mr. John Norton, St. David's, Llandrindod
tractor representative for the countieS of Denbigh, Flint and Montgomery. In addition to the farming element, which was strong, the company included several members and offi ials of the Executive Committee and also Mr. John Owen, Chief Commissioner of the Board of Agriculture for Wales. AGRIATOT.