, 
 
 UC SOUTHERN REGIONAL LIBRARY FACILITY 
 
 vy OPPORTUNITY 
 MONOGRAPH 
 
 FARM 
 MECHANICS 
 
 i*>* TANK + TRUCK 
 ;f 1 TRACTOR, 
 
 to <> DISABLED SOLDERS, SAILORS, * MARINES. 
 
 to aid them 
 In choosing a vocation. 
 
 PREPARED BY THE 
 
 FEDERAL BOARD ^ VOCATIONAL EDUCATION 
 
 and issued in cooperation with the 
 
 OFFICE 
 
 of the 
 
 SURGEON 
 GENERAL 
 
 WAR 
 DEPARTMENT, 
 
 BUREAU 
 
 of 
 
 MEDICINE ** 
 SURGERY 
 
 NAVY 
 DEPARTMENT 
 
 
 WASHINGTON : GOVEUNMENT I'UINTIMU OFFICE : 1910
 
 Note to the Disabled Soldier, Sailor, or Marine. 
 
 As a disabled soldier, sailor, or marine you should remember that the 
 Office of the Surgeon. General, War Department, and all its employees, 
 the Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, Navy Department, and all its 
 employees, and the Federal Board for Vocational Education and all its 
 employees are mutually interested in your welfare solely. They have 
 arranged a definite plan of cooperation to help you in every possible 
 way. You can not afford to leave the hospital until the medical 
 officers have done everything that they can for you to restore you to 
 physical health and strength. Any other course will interfere with 
 your vocational success later. Furthermore, you should by all means 
 take advantage of the educational opportunities which the hospital 
 has provided for you. 
 
 While you are making up your mind what line of work you want 
 to follow you should take advantage of the opportunities to try yourself 
 out in the different lines of activities which are provided at the hospital. 
 When once you have made up your mind as to the employment you 
 want to enter or the kind of training you want the Federal Board to 
 give you after you leave the hospital, you should ask the vocational 
 officers at the hospital to provide for you the kind of training which 
 will advance you in the direction of the occupation which you expect 
 to follow or for which you expect to be trained after you leave the 
 hospital. You will find the educational officers at the hospital eager to 
 render this service for you, and you should consult them early in your 
 hospital career. 
 
 All disabled soldiers, sailors, and marines in hospitals who want 
 information about reeducation should ask any instructor of the Hospital 
 Educational Service or the representative of the Federal Board for 
 Vocational Education. 
 
 Men discharged from the military or naval service who want infor- 
 mation should write to or call at the office of the Federal Board for 
 Vocational Education, Washington, D. C., or the District Office of the 
 Federal Board of the district in which they are located. The district 
 offices of the Board are located at the following points: Boston, New 
 York City, Philadelphia, Washington, Atlanta, New Orleans, Dallas, 
 St. Louis, Cincinnati, Chicago, Minneapolis, Denver, San Francisco, 
 and Seattle. For addresses see p. 20. 
 
 (2)
 
 Prepared under the direction of 
 CHARLES H. WINSLOW, 
 
 Chief of the Division of Research, 
 Federal Board for Vocational Education. 
 
 By 
 
 J. H. GILL, M. E., and WALTER J. QUICK, PH. D., 
 Special Agents, Agricultural Research. 
 
 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS. 
 
 Acknowledgment is due E. B. McCormick, Chief Division of Rural 
 Engineering, United States Department of Agriculture; American 
 Society of Agricultural Engineers; Curtis Publishing Co.; Vacuum Oil 
 Co.; International Harvester Co.; Domestic Engineering Co., and 
 A. W. Shaw Co., for data, suggestions, and illustrations; also to Dr. 
 John Cummings, of the Research Division, for editorial assistance. 
 
 (3)
 
 FROM TANK. 
 
 TO TRACTOR. 
 
 i ^-nana j\ \ \ 
 
 S -fT I } \Minn 
 
 i Wyominrf !
 
 FARM MECHANICS AS A VOCATION. For tanteteers. 
 
 Perhaps you op- 
 erated a tank over 
 there, and you 
 
 The war, just over, has been a war of machinery. The observing 
 soldier has seen the effectiveness of the tank, the airplane, the truck, on a farm, or may 
 the motor transport, and the ambulance. He will remember them terested in some 
 almost as comrades in the great struggle. He has seen the systematic may now become 
 
 care required to keep all this equipment in shape to deliver maximum interested in it. 
 
 There never was a 
 service. time when there 
 
 Many of the returned soldiers have been truck, ambulance, or mand^fnow for 
 
 automobile drivers, or at least have seen the vast field of work that has persons skilled in 
 
 , , , ... .the operation ol 
 
 been done by the gasoline engine in some form and have developed farm machinery, 
 
 an admiration for machinery. If you have driven any of these machines tr^ctors! 7 Read 
 
 and experienced the thrill of pleasure on getting your machine out of ttje Opportunity 
 
 ,. ,. . ?._, * . Monograph on 
 
 some tight place, or in overcoming some difficulty by your own inge- farm occupations 
 
 nuity, you have the best evidence that you will enjoy the vocation federal* 1 Board 8 
 
 that is spoken of in this monograph. There you will 
 
 , .. learn all about 
 
 In selecting your future vocation you should aim to profit by your opportunities in 
 
 past experiences as much as possible and at the same time select such tuits ^ou 
 
 work as will best enable you to enjoy life and health. You have had farming, stock 
 
 raising, garden- 
 an experience in the "great outdoors," possibly a prewar experience ing, dairying. 
 
 in agriculture, and can readily decide whether you will be contented ^ er iine^ 6 ' W 
 under such conditions as are found in country life. The majority of 
 soldiers have, barring injuries, been greatly benefited by their Army 
 life. 
 
 Uncle Sam having called several million men into his service, many 
 of whom have been injured, is employing the best experts available 
 to restore these to a condition of maximum usefulness. Just as the 
 expert surgeon is restoring to useful condition the injured, so there is 
 need of a mechanical expert to keep in good order the machinery of 
 the farm and to restore to usefulness that which may have been injured. 
 
 The farmer is realizing that one of the chief problems of the modern 
 farm is that of getting sufficient help when needed. He has been in 
 the habit of depending on floating labor for extra help. During the 
 past few years this help has been getting more and more uncertain, 
 inefficient, and expensive, and during the war it has in fact often been 
 impossible to get help at any price. To meet this condition a more 
 general use is being made of modern machinery, which enables more 
 and better work to be done with fewer workers. 
 
 Modern farming depends to a large extent on machinery. The average 
 farmer is not a mechanic and must employ expert help to get the 
 maximum service from his equipment. You may have had training 
 and experience in mechanical work, and with a little special training 
 this may become a valuable asset to you as a farm mechanic. A person 
 properly trained for this work can save many machines for future 
 usefulness and increase the life of all the mechanical equipment of 
 the farm. 
 
 (5)
 
 6 
 
 Will yon 
 Carry on! 
 
 Whatever your 
 injury, or combi- 
 nation of injuries, 
 there is some one 
 occupation in 
 which you can 
 succeed. If y9U 
 don't believe it. 
 we can prove it 
 to you. 
 
 If you need a new 
 arm or leg, that 
 will be provided, 
 one for Sundays 
 and one for the 
 workshop. You 
 can play the game 
 with it as well as 
 with the one you 
 left over there, 
 and it won't hurt 
 when you pound 
 your thumb or get 
 it broken. Be- 
 sides, you can get 
 a new one any 
 time, and it is 
 warranted against 
 rheumatism. 
 
 While you are 
 learning your new 
 occupation you 
 will be paid a 
 regular allowance 
 to cover your liv- 
 ing expenses, and 
 your family will 
 be paid an allow- 
 ance for their sup- 
 port. 
 
 When you have 
 learned to work 
 you can live on 
 your earnings and 
 spend your dis- 
 ability compensa- 
 tion taking your 
 family to the 
 movies, or any 
 way you like. It's 
 yours for keeps 
 just the same 
 whether you 
 work or loaf 
 around for life, 
 but you can't 
 spend it going to 
 the movies if you 
 haven't any 
 wages to live on. 
 
 POWER ON AMERICAN FARMS 
 
 Total - ai.QOO.OOO H.P. 
 
 Used, cm Farms 
 
 2,7,000,000 H.P. 
 
 Used in. Hai\u.fa.cturinaEStab 
 
 * aa,soo,ooo H.P. 
 
 CMOHT vi 
 
 FIG. 1. Showing the importance of farm power. 
 
 The chart (fig. 1) shows the relative amount of power on American 
 farms as compared with power used for manufacturing. All of this 
 power on the farm is utilized through machinery, and the large invest- 
 ment in farm machinery makes it important that the best of care 
 shall be given to insure long life and efficient service. 
 
 When the call came for greatly increased production many farmers 
 who doubted their ability to handle the modern farm machinery hesi- 
 tated to undertake the larger acreage. In some cases crops already 
 started were not harvested for want of help and lack of ability to use 
 the machinery that might have taken the place of man power. 
 
 The more complicated machinery becomes, the more important 
 becomes its proper care and management. Neglect or improper usage 
 shortens the life of the machines and often causes breakage, necessi- 
 tating repair or new parts. The services of a man who has ability and 
 training in the repair and operation of such implements are needed to 
 secure the best results. If maximum life and service is not secured 
 from farm equipment the farmer can not afford to have it. With maxi- 
 mum service the farmer can not afford to do without it.
 
 The Farm Tractor. 
 
 The tractor is the most important recent addition to farm equipment. 
 Its use is increasing because it enables one man to do the work of 
 several and do it better. 
 
 TO grain drills. Note the hitches shown by the arrows. 
 
 Many farmers hesitate to invest in the tractor and other modern 
 machinery now available, because realizing that they are not me-: 
 chanics, they doubt their ability to operate such equipment satisfac- 
 torily. Manufacturers employ mechanics to care for and operate their 
 machines. Farmers must adopt similar methods. They are recog- 
 nizing that in heavy farm work the tractor will accomplish more and 
 do it better than horses, and that the tractor does not require feed or 
 care when not being used. 
 
 Think It over. 
 
 If you have not 
 lost vour head the 
 world is full of op- 
 portunities for 
 you by way of 
 training. You 
 have your head, 
 or you wouldn't 
 be here. "What is 
 it you wanted to 
 be that you have 
 never been; that 
 you never had an 
 opportunity to 
 take training for? 
 Think it over, and 
 then ask the rep- 
 resentatives of the 
 Federal Board for 
 Vocational Edu- 
 cation to help 
 you. 
 
 FIG. 3. Mowing with a tractor. 
 
 The use of the tractor involves so many changes in methods of work 
 that farmers are often staggered by the new problems to be solved. 
 Every farmer has grown into the use of horses and horse-drawn equip- 
 ment. He knows he can handle them, but he has not the same con- 
 fidence in his ability to handle the tractor and the machinery that 
 goes with it.
 
 8 
 
 The farm mechanic will be expected to operate the tractor in plow- 
 ing, seeding, cultivating, harvesting, and various other operations. 
 He will be able to get more and better work out of the tractor and other 
 machines than one who does not fully understand them. 
 
 FIG. 4. The tractor loads two wagons at once. 
 
 If the services of a trained farm mechanic were obtainable, many 
 farmers would adopt the methods of the manufacturer, and they would 
 find it profitable to use such modern machinery as is adaptable to their 
 needs. This machinery, to give the best service, must be kept in 
 first-class condition, which requires the attention of a mechanic familiar 
 with farm machinery, not a machinist trained to do one, two, or several 
 things in a fully equipped up-to-date machine shop, but an ingenious 
 all-round mechanic who can keep the equipment in condition for 
 operation at all times. 
 
 FIG. 5. Farm mechanic's "hurry-up wagon." On large farms the farm mechanic will act as an 
 expert to care for all the machinery and keep everything going in the best of shape. The cut shows 
 the motorcycle and side car used by the expert to go to the assistance of any operator who is having 
 trouble with his machine. In this way much time is saved. The motorcycle is the cheapest, best, 
 and quickest errand runner, and will be found of great help in quickly getting extras and supplies. 
 
 A New Vocation. 
 
 This opens a new field of employment, that of farm mechanic. 
 
 The farm mechanic will have employment the year round, and the 
 farm owner who has a competent mechanic in his employ will find his 
 machinery in good order when needed. 
 
 The farm mechanic should not think that he is above doing regular 
 farm work, when that is more important. He may be called upon 
 to repair buildings, build fences, or even plant potatoes, but his 
 duties should be primarily the operation and upkeep of mechanical 
 equipment.
 
 With the machinery cared for by a competent farm mechanic there 
 will be less loss of time due to breakdowns and the equipment lasts 
 longer. If anything goes wrong with any of the mechanical equipment 
 
 FIG. 6. The farm mechanic can devise many helps for farm work. 
 
 while in operation it will receive the immediate attention of an expert. 
 When there is a need for repairs to any of the buildings a competent 
 man is available to do the work. 
 
 FIG. 7. Overhauling a binder. 
 
 Some large scientific farmers who have made their farming truly com- 
 mercial propositions have introduced as one of the economic features 
 of their business a department of farm mechanics with an expert 
 114894 19 2
 
 10 
 
 Learn safety en- mechanic in charge. The time is ripe and the need urgent for the 
 general introduction of the farm mechanic on every farm of sufficient 
 teaVn g to^lielp s i ze - Adjoining farms might in some cases advantageously combine in 
 others avoid disa- employing a farm mechanic. 
 
 bilities. There f .,, , . , , . ,. . , , . 
 
 is opportunity A person with a desire to farm and an inclination toward mechanics 
 
 number d( <rf K dis- ma y ma ^ e one ne ^P *^ e other by getting a farm so located that he can 
 abled soldiers to do general repair work for near neighbors, this work to be undertaken 
 safet/engineering with the understanding that repairing and sharpening of tools will be 
 expense while"^ done when farming is at a standstill because of weather or for other 
 
 ing supported, to- reasons, and that his own farming operations must not be sacrificed. 
 dependent^ Those desiring his services will gladly bring their machines to him to 
 
 Look this up by ^ overhauled before the season for use and while other work is not 
 
 i & i K i n jj n over 
 
 with the agents of pressing; 
 
 theFederalBoard. m , r , , , . . .... . ,, 
 
 The farm mechanic must be ingenious in utilizing the equipment at 
 
 hand. He can often adapt available equipment to do work that, 
 without his ingenious help, would be accomplished with much diffi- 
 culty. 
 
 Fio. 8. Binder with small gasoline engine for a " Helper." 
 
 The cut shows a small gasoline engine mounted on a binder to drive 
 the cutting and binding machinery. With this arrangement the team 
 has only to draw the binder. This is particularly advantageous on 
 soft ground. Where the bull wheel does not have to drive the machin- 
 ery it is not so liable to mire in wet places. This plan,'vtaking much 
 of the load from the team, enables more and better worato be done. 
 If a tractor is available that can draw a grain drill and a harrow at the 
 same time, it is poor economy not to do both operations at unce. 
 
 Efficient hitches are very important and the mechanic must arrange 
 these so that he can do the maximum work with a minimum power in 
 the shortest time. (See Figs. 2 and 4). It has been found that the 
 power required by some methods of hitching may be 15 to 25 per cent 
 greater than by others. As a rule, proper hitches not only take less
 
 11 
 
 power but the tools do better work. This illustrates one of the benefits 
 to be derived from having an expert in charge of the machinery. 
 
 The farm mechanic will be able to supervise the use of machines and 
 tools on the farm and thus greatly increase the efficiency of the equip- 
 ment in the hands of others, as well as of that operated by himself. By 
 
 FIG. 9. Laying drain tile. 
 
 supervising machines when in use and by keeping equipment in the 
 best working condition, the farm mechanic can make himself the most 
 valued man on the place. 
 
 FIG. 10. A convenient barnyard. 
 
 In some sections of the country drainage and irrigation are very 
 important. The intelligent farm mechanic with a little training can 
 be of great service in the simple farm surveying necessary.
 
 12 
 
 The erection of and additions to farm buildings is another line of 
 work that naturally falls to the farm mechanic, as does also the installa- 
 tion of farm equipment. Many convenient devices are possible if 
 some one is available who can use tools and has ability to plan and 
 
 FIG. 11. A practical power house for the country home, where power is generated for pumping 
 water, furnishing light, turning the washing machine, churn, cream separator, vacuum 
 cleaner, etc. 
 
 construct such improvements. How many farmers, for example, have 
 a dumb-waiter connecting with the cellar, or water in the kitchen 
 to save steps for the farmer's wife? 
 
 FIG. 12. The boy enjoys power on the farm. 
 
 Most farms have a gas engine for pumping water. It would be an 
 easy matter to arrange this engine so that it could be fitted to a short 
 shaft provided with pulleys to drive various machines, such as feed
 
 13 
 
 grinder, feed cutter, grindstone, fanning mill, etc. A 1J or 2 horse- Life in the open. 
 power engine on a small truck would be very convenient for moving CMI engineering 
 from place to place for odd jobs. Many farms are supplied with small JJ^f 3 H y^} ^ 
 electric-light plants, which by a little ingenuity could be made more this kind of life, 
 convenient and also save work in the home. Electric lights, running C i v n engineering? 
 water, bathroom, vacuum cleaner, cream separator, electric washer, 
 
 electric iron, furnace, and many other conveniences are all possi- out about this by 
 
 bilities, although many farmers do not realize that these are available resentatives ofthe 
 
 for the country home. However, with the assistance of the farm Federa 
 
 mechanic, the farmer will feel that he, too, may enjoy city conven- 
 
 iences. Farmers are not unwilling to have things made convenient 
 
 for themselves, but hesitate because of the difficulty of getting a com- 
 
 petent person to operate and maintain the plant. Lights, feed cutters, 
 
 milkers, and other conveniences are needed at the barn. Probably 
 
 no farm would have all these improvements, but any farm, may have 
 
 Borne, and, if a farm mechanic of originality is available, many of these 
 
 will be possible. 
 
 FIG. 13. This cut shows a shop which one fanner fixed up for his own use. The gasolene engine is 
 used to drive aline shaft. By this means a power-driven emery wheel is available for grinding 
 tools. This is of great help where chilled plows are used. The forge is one of the most important 
 features of the equipment. The arrangement will depend on the work to be done. An important 
 point that must not be overlooked is floor space for working on a machine and a large door that 
 will admit an auto or a gang plow or other large machines. The mechanic will usually find 
 helpers on the farm who with a little training will be able to render valuable assistance. 
 
 The farm mechanic should be provided with a shop equipped with 
 well selected tools. This shop, for convenience, should be located as 
 closely as possible to the machine sheds. It should have good light, 
 a tight floor, and some means of heating in cold weather, for most of 
 the work in the shop will be done during weather which is unsuited 
 for outside operations. The equipment should consist of a forge and 
 anvil, a bench and vise for metal work, a bench and vise for wood- 
 work, good, suitable tools, and a small stock of supplies such as nails, 
 screws, nuts, and bolts. 
 
 Farm machinery is built on the interchangeable plan, and a few of 
 the extras most liable to be needed should be kept on hand to avoid 
 delay. For example, a careful inspection of the binder before harvest 
 will show what parts are likely to give trouble and which, if imme- 
 diately replaced by extras on hand, will eliminate unnecessary delay 
 at a time when every hour counts in saving a crop. It is well to know
 
 14 
 
 months before harvest that when you hitch to the binder it will be in 
 shape for work; also, that when the silo is to be filled the knives will be 
 sharp and the blower in good working order. 
 
 With a reasonable outfit of tools a trained mechanic can repair 
 almost any ordinary break that may occur in the busy season which, 
 otherwise, would cause the work to stop and the crew to be idle while 
 a part, or perhaps the whole machine, is taken to the local shop for 
 repair, only to find the shop crowded with similar rush jobs which 
 must take their turn. 
 
 The farm mechanic should know how to do simple forge work; 
 sharpen plows; dress and temper ordinary chisels, punches, and other 
 
 steel tools; make good welds 
 in iron and steel ; do a fair job 
 of woodwork, such as will be 
 required in repairing around 
 the house and barns, and 
 erect such small buildings as 
 may be needed. He should 
 know how 'to babbitt a bear- 
 ing; fit new piston rings in a 
 gas-engine cylinder; grind in 
 the valves; clean out the 
 carbon from the cylinders of 
 the gas engine, auto, or 
 
 tractor; overhaul the binder, mower, hay loader, or other machinery; 
 and replace such patts as are broken or worn. 
 
 FIG. 14. Small building. 
 
 FIG. 15. Overhauling a disk cultivator.
 
 15 
 
 Practically, all repair work should be done on the farm and most Heads, you win! 
 of it may be done when the machines are not in use, or when the From the neck 
 weather prevents other work. 
 
 While a machine is in use, or immediately after it is brought in from day; from your 
 the field, any repairs or replacements that are needed should be noted be worth any 
 
 by the operator on a tag to be attached to the machine before it is put wiigepre 
 
 away for the season. This will serve as a reminder when the machine pared to do well 
 
 the occupation 
 is overhauled to prepare it for the next season. which you and 
 
 During the late fall and winter the entire equipment of machinery *k? es fThI S< Fed- 
 
 should be overhauled and put in shape for use. This will give ample t ral Boa / d findto 
 
 , be most suitable 
 time to secure extra parts. The one-hoss shay had no weakest for you with your 
 
 part, but most machinery has. If the weak parts can be repaired, cap- 
 or replaced, before they give way the life and efficient service of 
 the machine will be prolonged. A point often overlooked is, that 
 poor results are secured by using tools that are not sharp, or not in 
 good repair, and, also, the additional fact that much time is lost. 
 Men will do more work, and do it better, if the tools they use are in 
 
 . 
 
 Fio. 16. Hulling clover. 
 
 first class condition. A man who is swearing mad at a dull, rusty plow 
 that will not scour, will be liable to mistreat his team and he will be 
 unprofitable in many ways all on account of a neglected plow. In 
 consequence of poor tools, or tools in poor condition, inefficient plow- 
 ing, cultivating and other operations follow with their resultant losses 
 in crop returns. To illustrate, the average yield of wheat in the 
 United States is about 15 bushels per acre, but the efficient farmer 
 produces 25 to 40 bushels, and thereby greatly reduces his cost per 
 bushel. Likewise with corn or other crops, the larger the yield the 
 less the cost to produce, and hence the greater the net profit. 
 
 Even if the local repair shop happens to be convenient, and the 
 farmer inclined to use it to the best advantage and as often as would 
 be profitable, it would frequently be impossible to get efficient service,
 
 16 
 
 The Untrained since the local shop is often congested with work, poorly equipped, 
 
 and the shop mechanic may not be familiar with the machinery to 
 What becomes of i, p rpna 4 rpf | 
 the man who does D( re paired. 
 
 not take training? To make the farm investment as a whole most profitable a consider- 
 
 He goes back , , . . ,. . 
 
 home to compete able and judicious investment in modern farm machinery is abso- 
 
 whoarenotha^dF- 11116 ^ necessary. The farm equipment will usually include a tractor, 
 
 capped. After a sometimes a truck, depending on the size of the farm, and farm imple- 
 
 few years, the dis- . , . 
 
 abled man can ments suited to the lines of work being carried. 
 
 no longer rely 
 
 upon patriotism 
 
 p^S wheri n he FARM HOME EQUIPMENT 
 
 can not do the 
 
 work in competi- OKAM6E"rowri3M(p. BLACK HAWK COUNTV. IOWA. 
 
 tion with the 
 trained normal 
 man. He is too 
 proud as an ex- 
 soldier to be sus- 
 tained by charity. 
 There is only pne 
 
 way out for him, TOTAL NO, OF HOUSES 
 and that is to take 
 training so that he 
 can maintain him- 
 self in the after 
 years with dignity 
 as an ex-soldier of 
 
 the Republic, able tLECTRic o- SAS LUMT 
 to carry on in 
 civilian life suc- 
 cessfully just ashe K UNN|N< WATER 
 did in war. 
 
 STEAM HtflT 
 
 6LEEPIM6 PORCH 
 INDOOR TOILET 
 
 VACUUM CLEANER 
 POWER WASHER 
 RE.FRI6ERATOR 
 OIL COOK STOVE 
 ELECTRIC OR 6A IRON 
 
 TELEPHONE 
 
 PIANO 
 
 AUTOMOBILE: 
 
 FIG. 17. Former luxuries fast become necessities. 
 
 It must be realized, however, that the best results from the farm 
 depend on the efficient equipment of the farm home. The farmer's 
 home is more than a shelter, it is the most important tool in his busi- 
 ness. The farm equipment chart, figure 17, shows the result of a study 
 of all the farm homes in a township in Iowa. Half of all the farm
 
 17 
 
 homes in this township had furnaces, while the proportion having Remember this! 
 water, bath, and electric or gas lights was somewhat less. Nearly half A handicap is a 
 had vacuum cleaners, power washers, and electric irons. Nearly all ^ te ^ ^i nd - n 
 these homes had telephones. Over half had pianos, and about half changeyourmind! 
 had automobiles. This is not a picture of average conditions obtaining and no one else 
 at present in farm homes throughout the United States, but it is a (frit^n^Suny 
 picture of conditions, somewhat exceptional at present, to which we handicap as it 
 i 11 i won the war. It 
 
 are, however, rapidly approaching. will beat yours. 
 
 In many instances an automobile is included in the farm equip- Your handicap is 
 
 ment. Farmers have in fact more need for a car than have any other not a handicap 
 
 i , ,1 , , , , , , unless you are de- 
 
 class, since it serves the double purpose of business and pleasure and termined to make 
 
 makes possible the greater enjoyment of church, town, and neighbors, 
 
 Statistics show that nearly 2.000,000 autos are owned by farmers, that you do not 
 
 wish to be a de- 
 
 Cost of Farm Equipment. jg'Sd tSo 
 
 The machinery on a 200-acre farm will vary from $3,000 to $4,000 or toTelp ^you reh 
 
 more. No business man would put such expensive equipment in ^fa^vn emp'ioy- 
 
 the hands of a crew of untrained men without some one in charge to ment as an mde- 
 
 ,,..,. , i i i -i i . , ,. pendent worker 
 
 see that it is properly used, kept in repair, and cared for when not in with every oppor 
 
 use. With a farm mechanic assured, farmers will realize that it is vancement! 1 &d " 
 
 good business to supplement their farm investment by the purchase , 
 
 , , , . . j , . , . , You will not be 
 
 of such machinery as will result in improved fanning and increased compelled to take 
 nroflnrtinn any training what- 
 
 ever, but you will 
 
 The necessity for proper mechanical equipment of the farm was be gi ven expert 
 
 ..,,., r , , T-I T T, advice and help in 
 
 appreciated by the Federal Farm Loan Board when it provided that getting such train- 
 
 part of the Federal loan funds might be used for mechanical equipment. TOu^hoose^otaice 
 The board realized that a farm can not be profitably operated without }* Your disabil- 
 suitable machinery and that without modern farm tools the farmer will not be reduced 
 is severely handicapped, even though he has a good farm and sufficient training and learn 
 buildings. Thorough preparation of the soil and cultivation and har- to wor ^-. . Y 4 r 
 vesting of the crop all depend upon proper equipment of the farm. dttfonal income 
 The economic importance of modern labor saving tools, implements, 
 
 and machinery for the farm, orchard and garden was not fully appre- tinue in the same 
 
 ' . ,. ,. , , amount that will 
 
 ciated until four years of a world-disturbing war had created havoc be paid if you do 
 
 with the farmer's labor supply, already short from losses to other in- ThVtra^ngisfreo 
 
 dustries. This supply was further curtailed by the demand for workers and you and your 
 . ., , ,. ,. , _, family will be 
 
 in the manufacture of war supplies and by enlistments. Even in the maintained dur- 
 
 face of this tremendous depletion in his labor supply, labor-saving trabtag. 
 machinery, available from abundant prewar manufacture, enabled to y ut 
 the farmer, nevertheless, to expand the area under cultivation by 
 hundreds of thousands of acres, and thus to meet war emergency needs. 
 The satisfaction and profit of having an outfit of tools and a compe- 
 tent man to keep the equipment in good working condition, will be 
 realized more fully as the mechanic demonstrates his ability and 
 ingenuity. The average farmer has not had the experience of having 
 his machines and tools in condition without considerable trouble and 
 outlay of time and expense. The change will be such a relief, and the 
 increased efficiency so noticeable that the farm mechanic will have 
 little difficulty in making such services appreciated, securing 
 acknowledgment of his ability and therefore establishing his rank 
 among the men on the farm. He should, of course, be considered a 
 permanent man and be provided with all the perquisites that other 
 permanent men enjoy, including a house and a garden in addition 
 to adequate compensation.
 
 18 
 
 Future Prospects. 
 
 The demand for farm mechanics may be expected to grow somewhat 
 in proportion to the increase in the iise of tractors. The introduction 
 of a tractor on a farm necessitates many changes in methods of work 
 which call for the exercise of mechanical ingenuity to get maximum 
 results. The advantage of having a trained man to help plan and start 
 the work under the new conditions is evident. 
 
 The Curtis Publishing Co. has made a study of tractor production 
 and has plotted a curve (Fig. 18) which shows the probable future of 
 
 0,000 
 
 350,000 
 
 ioopoo 
 
 12, \9\5 \9I<* 1315 1916 I9IT |Sh I9l9 I9EO 19! 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 / 
 / 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 / 
 / 
 
 / 
 / 
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 1 TRACT 
 
 OR PRODUCTION CUR 
 
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 35.000 
 
 ss.ooo 
 
 
 
 
 11,500 
 
 
 5.0OO 
 
 
 a 00.000 
 
 150,000 
 
 1 00.000 
 
 50.000 
 
 FIG. 18. Indication of the future of the tractor. The demand for farm mechanics is expected to follow 
 
 a similar increase. . 
 
 the industry. If the demand for farm mechanics increases in pro- 
 portion as does the utilization of tractors, the future looks bright for 
 well-trained men. 
 
 You may have had mechanical experience and possibly experience 
 with farm machinery, but you will, nevertheless, need a short intensive 
 course in the care and repair of farm machinery. Such a course will 
 fill you with new ideas for greater efficiency in the employment and 
 adaptation of numerous tools not generally used on the farm. If you 
 have had little mechanical training, but have had some experience 
 with farm machinery, you will need a course in shopwork to enable 
 you to do a good workmanlike job instead of the usual makeshift work 
 to which many farmers have been accustomed. 
 
 Handicaps. 
 
 Some of you may be saying, "But I can't hope to make good on the 
 farm because of my handicap. I have lost a foot or an arm or am other- 
 wise crippled . " It is true that these may seem hard to overcome, but
 
 19 
 
 the mechanic's work on a farm is such that few of these losses will be Opportunity 
 prohibitive or constitute serious handicaps. 
 
 Ordinarily the loss of a leg would prevent a man from doing t 
 necessary walking in soft ground, but even this will not be found such you can "carry 
 a serious loss after you have been supplied with the "extras " to which back home, you 
 you are entitled. Uncle Sam has had his "physical mechanics" at^^grthe 
 
 work for some time getting these "extras" ready, and after you have Opportunity 
 
 i -it r~ j -j Monographs pub- 
 
 gotten them adjusted and properly broken in you will find consul- Hshed by the Fed- 
 
 erable pleasure in your ability to use them. Your work as a mechanic ^ionat^Educ*. 
 will be with machinery and you will almost invariably ride while ticm ^youf sj>e- 
 operating it. In the shopwork and repairs, if you can stand at a bench them you will 
 and move around your machine, you will find little difficulty on account ^pjy ^tatedfaU 
 nf lrw nf a W * ne information 
 
 A , you need about 
 As for arms, the candidate should have one good hand, but the piany, many oc- 
 
 mechanical substitutes that have been developed will enable you to ^j^ you S may 
 get along very comfortably with one good hand and a workable substi- J^^S^g^ ^J 
 tute for the other. After you are accustomed to your store hand its (will know better 
 use will become second nature to you and you will not often be conscious }& * to d^and the 
 of the change. Even store teeth require a certain amount of education fj^f^e^a ! 
 before they work well. Board, wherever 
 
 Increase in the use of artificial limbs at this time has led to material them 
 improvements being made in appliances to overcome various handi- 
 
 caps. The illustrations you have undoubtedly seen in print or on the when necessary, 
 
 f will bo in thio DO* 
 screen are not "make up" pictures but actual cases of what training s ition to help you 
 
 in the use of these appliances will enable a person to do. What ma ^ a ^ u c ^ 
 others can do, you can do. to do, help you 
 
 Physical disabilities, such as shell shock, nervous troubles, and lung plrecffranif, and 
 troubles will be greatly benefited by the free outdoor life of the farm, p?^^^ 
 There are side lines that would be very profitable and interesting after you have 
 which would sandwich in with the work of the farm mechanic in a very stand on your feet 
 satisfactory way, such as beekeeping, poultry, and sheep. M a worker ** lt; - 
 
 There is a fascination about farm life to many persons that more than 
 compensates for any loss of the enjoyments peculiar to city life. The 
 farmer has been looked on as not quite the equal of the manufacturer 
 or merchant, but opinion is rapidly changing. The farmer is the 
 original producer on which others depend. This war has caused the 
 world to realize his importance, and now he is beginning to receive his 
 dues and be recognized for his real worth. 
 
 When you have had the special training aa a farm mechanic you will 
 find that the demand for your services is from well-equipped and 
 experienced farmers. While you are rendering valuable service to 
 your employer in your line of work you will be getting a good salary 
 and securing useful experience which will prepare you for a better 
 position as a farm mechanic or for successful management, eventually, 
 of a farm of your own. 
 
 The Surgeon General is instructed to fit you out with the best appli- 
 ances possible for your future work, and the Federal Board for Vocational 
 Education is ordered to provide the training that will fit you for the 
 work which you decide is best and most nearly meets your needs. 
 
 The Federal board's training courses have been arranged for in every 
 State, and information in regard to them can be secured from your 
 nearest district vocational officer. See list on the last page of this 
 monograph.
 
 FEDERAL BOARD FOR VOCATIONAL EDUCATION. 
 
 MEMBERS. 
 
 DAVID F. HOUSTON, Chairman, JAMES P. MUNROE, Vice Chairman, 
 
 Secretary of Agriculture. Manufacture and Commerce. 
 
 WILLIAM C. KEDFIELD, CALVIN F. MC!NTOSH, 
 
 Secretary of Commerce. Agriculture. m 
 
 WILLIAM B. WILSON, ARTHUR E. HOLDER, 
 
 Secretary of Labor. Labor. 
 
 P. P. CLAXTON, 
 
 Commissioner of Education. 
 
 EXECUTIVE STAFF. 
 
 C. A. PROSSER, Director. 
 
 LAYTON S. HAWKINS, Chief Vocational Education Division. 
 CHARLES H. WINSLOW, Chief Research Division. 
 II. L. SMITH, Chief Rehabilitation Division. 
 
 DISTRICT VOCATIONAL OFFICES OF THE FEDERAL BOARD FOR VOCA- 
 TIONAL EDUCATION. 
 
 All disabled soldiers, sailors, and marines, whether in or out of the hospital, should address their 
 communications either to the Federal Board for Vocational Education, Washington, D. C., or to 
 the district office of the Federal Board of the district in which they are located. The district offices 
 of the Board are located at the following points, respectively: 
 
 District No. 1. Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island. Office: 
 Room 1201 Little Building, 80 Boylston Street, Boston, Mass. Branch office: Rooms 324-326 Masonic 
 Building, Portland, Me. 
 
 District No. 2. Connecticut, New York, and New Jersey. Office: 469 Fifth Avenue, New York, 
 N. Y. 
 
 District No. 3. Pennsylvania and Delaware. Office: 1211 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, Pa. 
 Branch office : Room 491 TTnion Arcade Building, Pittsburgh, Pa. 
 
 District No. 4. District of Columbia, Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia. Office: 606 F Street 
 NW., Washington, D. C. Branch offices: Room 400 Flat Iron Building, Norfolk, Va. ; Room 411 Park 
 Bank Building, 104 West Lexington Street, Baltimore. Md. 
 
 District No. 5. North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, and Tennessee. Office: 
 Room 823 Forsyth Building, Atlanta, Ga. 
 
 District No. 6. Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana. Office: Rooms 412-432 Maison Blanche 
 Annex, New Orleans, La. 
 
 District No. 7. Ohio, Indiana, and Kentucky. Office: Rooms 1212-1214 Mercantile Library Build- 
 ing, Cincinnati, Ohio. Branch office : Home Service Section, American Red Cross, Park Building, 
 Cleveland, Ohio. 
 
 District No. 8. Michigan, Illinois, and Wisconsin. Office: 1600 The Westminster, 110 South Dear- 
 born Street, Chicago, HI. Branch office: Room 807 Owen Building, Detroit, Mich. 
 
 District No. 9. Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas, and Missouri. Office : Rooms 815-824 Chemical Building, 
 St. Louis, Mo. Branch office: Room 413 Massachusetts Building, Kansas City, Mo. 
 
 District Ne. 10. Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota. Office: Room 742 Metropolitan 
 Bank Building, Minneapolis, Minn. 
 
 District No. 11. Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah. Office: Room 400 Mercantile 
 Building, Denver, Colo. 
 
 District No. 12. California, Nevada, and Arizona. Office: Room 997 Monadnock Building, San 
 Francisco, Calif. 
 
 District No. 13. Montana, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington. Office: Room C39 Central Building, 
 Seattle, Wash. 
 
 District No. 14. Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Texas. Office: Room 810 Western Indemnity Building, 
 1000 Main Street, Dallas, Tex. 
 
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