r\ i • ' i tssued Janu U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, BUREAU OF PLANT INDUSTRY Circular No. -14. B. I ■ ,V. Chief of Bureau. MINOR ARTICLES OF FARM EQUIPMENT L. W. ELLIS, Usistan i. ( »ni. !. of Farm Managemi \ i WASHINGTON : GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFIC! BIREAI OF PLANT INIM'STRY. Chief of Bureau, Beverly r. Galloway. Assi iani Ch ' i B m i r ] Woods Editor, J. I'.. Rockwell. Chief Clerk, James I rot [Cir. 44] 2 MINOR ARTICLES OF FARM EQUIPMENT INTRODUCTION. Among the leaks in farming to which because of their apparent unimportance little attention has been directed is the waste which occurs through a general lack of comprehension as to the extenl and value of the minor articles which are necessary to the smooth run- ning of a farm. This waste is exhibited in extra expense through the purchase of unnecessary tools and materials; in the loss of time and discounts in buying numerous articles singl} or in small lots; in the loss, theft, and rapid depreciation of items of equipment considered too insignificant to require systematic care; and in the losses in many directions through the lack or the misplacement of equipment at times when it is urgently needed. A previous publication" has to a greater or less extent emphasized all the foregoing points in discussing the advantages to he gained by having on the farm at all times the workshop tools and materials necessary for keeping in a high state of efficiency the equipment upon which the successful management of the modern farm so largely depends, li is the purpose of this paper to lay even greater emphasis upon certain of these points and to present the results of study made for the purpose of determining the number and cost oi all minor articles of equipment necessary for a farm of the general type. This study did not include wagons, machinery, or other articles which on account of their hulk or value would be classed as items of major importance, but was confined to the consideration of the miscellaneous small tools, utensils, and sundries usually purchased singl} or in small lots at a slight cost lor each. 'The total cost of the miscellaneous articles is usually much higher than the estimates given by farmers and writers on agricultural a Farmers' Bulletin 347, U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, entitled "The Repair of Farm Equipment." This bulletin discusses the importance of making minor repairs on 'in, the character and use of tools, and the proper workshop facilities and ma- terials forrepair work, li will lie senl tree of charge upon application in tie nf Agriculture, Washington, 1>. (.'. [Clr 4 MINOR ARTICLES OF FARM EQUIPMENT. subjects, but owing to the great number of small purchases made this fact is seldom realized except by the few who have made careful inventories at stated intervals. Ignorance of this fact leads farmers in general to neglect an extremely valuable portion of their equip- ment, and it would probably be found that the decrease in value of the small articles is much more rapid than that of the major items, for which an annual rate of depreciation of 7.3 per cent has been established. a The low estimates regarding this part of the equip- ment also prove disappointing to the manager of a new farming venture who finds it necessary to make an increased outlay on this account, attended by a readjustment of his plans. The importance of having a good working equipment in small articles and the absolute necessity of caring for it are matters which should be apparent to the thoughtful farmer and need not be dwelt upon further. The waste of time in making numerous special trips for small articles is also apparent, particularly when it is considered that many of these occur in the busiest seasons. This could be avoided to a large extent by taking an inventory during a slack period and replacing all missing items at the first opportunity. Concerning the loss through ignorance of the equipment needed, however, less has been said, and it is in regard to the requirement in the way of miscellaneous articles and their purchase that this paper will be largely devoted. In selecting the minor equipment for a given farm consideration must be given not only to the articles needed for the care and repair of buildings, fences, machinery, etc., but to those used for the care of live stock, the production of crops, and the various other interests of the farm. With every change in the type of farm involving a new combination of enterprises, a change in minor equipment will be necessary. For each of the many specialized types of farms certain articles will be needed which will not be found necessary on farms generally. To attempt to determine the equipment in small items necessary for all these special types is beyond the scope of this paper, which will attempt to cover only those items found in most common use on farms of the general type. By tins is meant farms of moderate size on which both crops and live stock are raised with- out particular emphasis on the production or disposition of any one product. The nature of the minor equipment will be determined largely l>\ the character of the farm enterprises and the proximity of repair and shopping facilities, while its extent may be governed by the size of the farm, the number of workmen, and the financial circumstances of the proprietor. Perhaps both the nature and the extent of the o Bulletin 73, Bureau of Statistics I S Dept of Vgriculture. [Cir. 441 MINOB ARTICLES OF 1 \l;M EQUIPMENT. 5 minor equipment will be influenced most by the fanner's attitude in regard to small economies and his ability to use tools to the best a necessary on general farms, the annual inven- tories on the farms of thirty-three cooperators in Ohio were made as complete as possible with respect to minor items. These farms include one poultry, truck, and general farm, one large horse farm, and a number on which dairying is the principal enterprise, yet none depart radically from the general type. The average size i> a trifle less than lii7 acres, and the average equipment as nearly as can he determined is given in tabular- form on subsequent pages of this circular. SI MMAm "1 I \ \ ENTI MM I - Table I, showing a summary of the inventories of minor equip- ment, must be studied closely in order to be of the greatest value. dl the items listed are necessar} for a satisfactory farm equip- ment, and on no farm was a complete list found. Xo farm combined all the enterprises represented, yet every item in the list was found on one or more of the cooperating . farms. A few articles were omitted as being of an extremely unusual character. Many items which might be called farm equipment because found in farm rather than in town homes are not included, the aim being to present a sug- gestive list of miscellaneous farm tools, etc., for the convenience of the farm manager. The use of the various tools is not described, as onlj the more common ones, with which local merchants are usually familiar, have been included. The table is designed to show the relative importance of the various items and approximately what is required for a complete equipment. The first column shows the percentage of the whole number of farms from which each article was reported in the inven- tories. It is probable that in many cases there should he a slight increase in the percentage shown, owing to failure to record all the articles on some of the farms. It is believed to lie correct, how< ver, in showing the relative importance of the different articles, In col- umn 2 is shown the average number of each article on the farms which report the same. In column .'! is the number which the inven- tories suggest as approximately the average for a well-equipped general farm under the conditions obtaining in Ohio. In making up this number it has been necessary i" consider the percentage of farms reporting each article, the average number of article- for each farm 6 MINOB ARTICLES OF FARM EQUIPMENT. reporting, and the same average for the whole number of farms. The suggested number is the nearest whole number to the mean found between the two averages. For example, the T-handled wood auger is reported from 22 out of 33 farms, or 67 per cent. A total of 67 augers was found on these farms, or 3.04 for each farm reporting, and 2.03 to the farm for the whole number. The mean is 2.54 and the suggested number 3. With one or two exceptions no article is included in column 3, however, which was not reported from at least 20 per cent of the farms and for which the average to the farm for the whole number of farms was less than three-tenths. In this way con- sideration was given to the fact that on some farms certain items are not reported and that on farms which do report the various items there are undoubtedly cases in which fewer articles than those found would be adequate. This last statement is certainly true, since in many cases where several tools of a kind are kept, a part are old and are retained simply for occasional use. The arbitrary basis given was adopted because it was found to mark quite accurately the divid- ing line between what was considered essential and what nonessen- tial by the owners of several well-equipped farms. Column ."> is not necessarily a recommendation as to what will be urgently needed for a farm of average size and type, but it is indicative of the number of articles suggested by the inventory. B\ r carefully considering the needs of his farm the manager can cut down the list materially. The oil cans, wrenches, eveners, etc., purchased with machines were excluded wherever practicable from the inventories; hence, the sug- gested number is less in many cases than the real total for such items. In column 4, figures are given for the first cosl of the various articles. the price of all being included for reference, even though all of the articles are not recommended lor use. The price for the complete article (for example, a tool with a handle) is given in most cases. This price has been obtained wherever possible from merchants located in sections from which the inventories were taken. The majority of hardware items were priced by one of the leading hard- ware merchants of Wayne County, Ohio. Other prices were ob- tained from Farmers' Bulletin 347. Still others were supplied by various farmers who had purchased or made similar items within a few months of the date of inventory. These prices will, of course, Vary a great deal with the location of the purchaser and the quality of the goods. Regarding the latter, however, the point was em- phasized in obtaining prices that average figures were wanted for the quality of goods usually purchased by farmers. These prices are merely suggestive and can not in all cases Ix- relied upon, for the reasons just nient ioned. [Cir. 44] MINOB AB i l EQUIPMENI . 7 The total cosl of the various Items suggested is extended in column ."). The total, which seems extremely large in comparison with the usual estimates, is, however, n<>t unreasonable it' a rather complete equipment is desired. Taking the grand total inventory of items mentioned in this list for all the farms, using the prices given in column 4 and dividing by 33, the first cost for the average farm ol 167 acres is found to be aboul $190. The discrepancy between tin- figure and thai given for the total cost of items suggested, $270.70, may be due partly to incomplete inventories but mure to the tact that the latter figures contain a large number of single articles foi which the mean previously mentioned was a fraction greater than one-half and less than one. Column 5 indicates a rather complete outfit. Neither the *lt)() nor the $270.70, however, includes an\ allowance for a stock of materials for the repair of equipment, as given in Farmers' Bulletin 347. An expenditure of $50 or more in this connection would save many trips to town for materials, even if the equipment for making use of them were complete. Many items considered useful and necessary might he added to the list suggested, but the purpose of this circular is to establish what mighl he called a working basis for considering tins phase of equipment The occasional need for many of these omitted items will be ap- parent, and attention is called to the fact that the li--t in column contains only L58 out of '2 ft) articles, all of which were considered uecessarj in certain cases. The initial expense if all the items were included in as large number- a- shown in column 2 would be over $685, and it is not an uncommon thing to find farms in the United State- on which the actual investment in -mall and miscellaneous articles would be above this figure if all the tools had been bought first hand. The summary of the thirty-three inventories is given as follow - : Table I Summary of items of minor equipment reportedon thirty-three farms in Ohio, with the numb I of all items suggested as necessary "/■'/ their total cost. Pen i of : rr|x eneral pui V wl. . A.x and handle. I'lllrh b Bencb bil Steel Try-square nisei... i ll] Numb number of each item each item. [terns per farm I ested Ing. sary. l .10 2.1 2 1.1 I 1.1 1 1 in 1.0 1 1 . in of ii so 111 50 no 00 I 10 » MINOR ARTICLES OF FARM EQUIPMENT. Table I.— Summary of items of minor equipment reported on thirty-three farms in Ohio, •h the number and cost of all items suggested as necessary and their total cost — < '< >i it ' < 1 . Items. General purpose— Continued. Compa :s Level Drawing knife Scratch gauge Gimlet bits Grub hoe Claw hammer Hand ax Hatchet Screw-driver Log chain Wooden mallet Mattock Compass saw Handsaw Crosscut saw, large Plane Iron wedge Tapeline Hasp Brush hook or scythe. . . . Cant, hook " Chalk line Buck saw Carpenter's pincers Anvil Vise Forge Combination drill press. . Dulls Tinner's snips Cold chisel Whetstone Screw plate Tongs i Flat file Round file Taper file Oil can Machine oil Pipe wrench Monkey wrench Tool grinder Grindstone Riveting hammer Sledge hammer Pliei Nippers Punch i lack saw Saw-set Maul Post-nole diggei Wire splicer. . . Wire stretcher. . . . Ditch cleaner Tile spade Brick trowel I'll leiin ■ trowel. . . . Sand sieve Pick D-handled shovel Long-handled shovel Counter scale.. . Kpring balance Steelyards Platform scale Rat trap Steel trap I:n I. screw .. Stepladdei Percentage of farms reporting. Average number of items per farm report ing. [Cir. 14] 42 U4 91 15 55 21 s_< 36 70 67 82 36 79 42 94 85 73 79 :i9 39 21 42 27 10 21 15 23 27 - 7.; 24 27 6 70 35 42 30 24 64 10 9) 39 33 52 33 18 .:., 16 II 11 29 22 31 II 16 31 31 13 10 i 28 18 24 26 3 1.0 L.3 1.4 .;. o i.i 1.3 1.0 1.7 2. 5 1.5 i 1.0 1.2 2. 3 2.5 1.1 I 1 1.0 1.4 I 1.2 1.0 1.2 1.0 1.0 I 1.0 2.3 1.8 1.0 _' 2. 1.5 1.7 § 2.1 I 1.5 1.1 I 1.5 2.2 i 1.0 1.1 1.0 !. 1 i ! • 1.3 I I 1.1 1.0 1.0 2.1 I I Number of each item suggested as neces- sary. 2 1 2 I o 1 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 SO. 30 .75 .75 .40 .20 .50 50 . 50 . 75 . 25 1 . 50 .75 .30 1.25 00 1 .'5 .30 .50 .50 1.25 1 . 25 .10 .75 .00 in. no 10.00 1.00 1 . 25 .10 10. INI . 15 10 .10 .10 .30 1.50 3.00 cno .75 1.00 ..Ml 1.00 . 15 . 50 .00 .Till 1.25 1.00 1.00 1.00 .10 . 50 L.00 I in LOO 5.00 ,0 2.00 8.00 .15 2.00 1.75 Total cost of items suggested - SO. 30 .75 .75 .40 .40 .50 .50 .75 .25 3.00 .25 .75 .30 2.50 3. 00 2.50 .60 .50 .50 1.25 .10 .00 I 00 2. 00 . 10 .10 10.00 .30 .30 .20 .10 .30 1.5(1 1.00 3. IK) 1.00 .75 1.00 .50 1.00 .30 .60 1 . 25 1.00 l . 25 LOO . 10 LOO LOO .5o 2.00 8. (HI .50 .15 1 . 75 MINOB AIM [CLES OF FARM EQUIPM Table 1 Summary of itet >n thirty-thr< with the number ana cost of all items sugg> totalcost Cont'd, 1 > 8 1 rli item. .'. Items. of in reporl Items umber of ich Item of items suggested ■ lei 58 71 1 1 1 l i .7.". $2.00 Lani ■ J. IK. Paint in n -ii Whitewash brush. . . - . r. r > 18 in l 1 I liook .20 15 39 64 88 12 12 the 1 in 2C 15 12 27 18 12 10 91 89 89 43 :si 34 l l HI l 5t Arc i 3 l •> 2 2 2 •i 1 -' 1.3 Crate len rake Boe . in . 10 80 Tro' 2. 50 . in .30 . 25 Cold ■ Digitized by nt( 3fTI( i. n 3 \A ^ l- ick: Clipping machine no > i.o 2.3 2. 7 i. in :hain. . . ind driving: Mil Mian 6.00 1.00 Coll Plj aet - _'. 8 2. INI [Jaltei 26 11 s . 20 Swi . 70 Riveting machine 43 1 .50 . in ll>' 57 23 23 11 17 III 11 in 11 "1 16 1. 1 1 1 ».3 J ii 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 I 10.00 1.00 . I).-, . Id .7:, .60 . 7."i . 7") I. 00 . Ill . 50 1.00 5.00 1.50 1. IKI 1.00 Riding bridle. 1.00 Snap . 11 Stoi Chamois skin Evener, 2-hor ■• i . :; or I horse Storm tronl intern .... 1.00 http://archivfe.org/detail^/mino00unit 10 MIKOB ARTICLES OF FARM EQUIPMENT. Table I. — Sumrru juipment reported on thirty-three fcrms in Ohio, with tlu n umber and cost of all itt ms sugg> cessary and their total cost — Cont'd. Items. Horse and driving — Coin Neck yoke Whippletree Whip Whisk broom Cattle: Cow bell Calf muzzle Crate Pie rope or chain Dehorning clipper Milk tube Dairy: Milk can Milk crock Milk pan Milk pail Churn Butter crock Butter bowl Butter scales Strainer Skimmer Thermometer Sheep: Bell Shears Swine: Ring plier Rings Snout clipper ;, Tongs Crate Portable house , Poultry: Fountain Feed hopper Trap nests Feed pan ' — Feed sieve. Hover box Egg tester Coop Leg bands Bone cutter Bees: Foundation Section box ( 100) Foundation fastenei Hive Super Smoker Bee escape Bee veil Honey crate Honey extractor Corn: Shock tier Knife Hand planter Ensilage fork eed tester Seed rack Husking peg Husking gloves i Slack cover Carrier Hoisting fork Pulleys Average Percentage number of of farms items per reporting, farm report- ing. 58 u Box. 3 3 I.". 39 3 3 3 3 3 3 6 li 6 12 9 15 • 12 12 6 9 (i 6 27 70 (il 6 12 9 30 12 3 30 iS 55 6 Pounds. 1.6 3.1 1.4 1.0 1.5 1.0 1.0 3.9 1.0 1.0 4.9 9.9 5.0 3.2 1.1 10.1 I. il 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 5.0 l.G 1.1 1.0 1.0 2.0 6.6 3. 5 3.0 8.0 6. 1.0 6.0 1.(1 3.0 50. 5 l.l) &6.0 2.8 Ml 19.6 30. 3 I. II 2.0 1.3 13.5 1.0 1.0 2.7 1.3 1.0 1.5 1.3 2.9 c 1.3 2.0 1.1 1.1 4.5 Number of each item suggested as neces- sary. Cost of Total cost of items suggested sarv. -•I nil .30 .50 .10 .20 .50 .30 5.00 .25 1.50 . 10 .20 .50 4.00 . 20 .50 1 . 5(1 .50 . 10 .15 1.00 .20 .10 .40 .50 1.00 4.00 . 25 . 25 .25 .05 . 25 .25 . 15 3.00 1 1 4 '■ Pairs. (i.00 .75 .75 1 . 00 .50 1.00 . 25 .10 .50 25 1.50 1.00 .50 1.00 .10 .75 s oo 3. 00 1. 25 .40 [Cir. 44J MINOB ARTICLES OF KUt.M EQUIPMENT. u Table I Summary of items of mhior equipment report 'costofali mt'd. 1 a 8 each iii in l l I l •'i Items. stage SS SS 15 97 3 3 21 15 3 12 12 n um 1 farm i 1. i 1. 1 1. l 2. 7 L2 1.0 1.4 1.2 2.0 G.O 1.0 1. 1 of iti 1 1 . i > Continued. 5.00 2.00 Sickle K 1 1 : ■ . e l 1 l 1. 00 1.50 .20 .03 .06 1.00 . 75 .30 2 Kujiar ,., Fork or hook ... bland planter. ' ' Spoul Cover Tapping i-ii . - . Total cosl of items sugges A careful study of Table I will bring out many points worthy ol consideration. To t he owner of a farm who has had do occasion from time to time to collect bis miscellaneous equipment and take account of its extent, this study should suggest the advisability of taking an annual inventory of the small as well as of the large equipment in order to keep track of his investment. The practice of taking an inventory, even of the larger pieces of machinery, is not as common should be, and in many cases where an invoice is taken the "small stuff" is lumped in one item. During the process of taking the inventories used in compiling this circular the owner almost invariably expressed astonishment at the extent to which his capital was invested in miscellaneous minor articles. The tenant farmers, ami especially those who have frequent occa- sion to move, will ordinaril) be found better posted as to the extent of t heir miscellaneous equipment, and this will usuallj be found to be [Cir. 44] 12 -MIX OR ARTICLES OF FARM EQUIPMENT. much nearer the actual necessil ies than the equipment of the resident owner. To both of these classes, however, it is earnestly recom- mended that following an inventory for the purpose of determining the number and the value of articles on hand there should be pro- vision made for keeping track of the various articles in a systematic manner. Only in this way can loss through theft and carele-^ne» he avoided and time saved through a knowledge of where the articles can be found when wanted, while expenditures for the duplication of items when the original articles can not be found for the time being will be rendered unnecessary and depreciation on account of neglect will be reduced to a minimum. It is unnecessary to dwell upon these points, as they will be apparent to the businesslike farmer. This list also contains possibilities of great value to the prospect ive farmer. To the ordinary person the compiling of a complete list of articles neeessar} r for use on an average-sized general farm becomes almost an impossibility after he has listed the larger items, such as machinery, wagons, etc. This applies to the man with some farm experience as well as to the one who engages in farming for the first time. The experience of several men born and raised on a farm and temporarily separated from it during a college course will bear out this statement. One of these was actually in charge of an experi- mental farm for four years prior to taking up farming on his own account, yet his initial allowance for small tools and sundries was only $25. After going over an incomplete list similar to the forego- ing he purchased a very modest lot of small tools, amounting to over S I 00 in value, from a local hardware dealer, thereby obtaining a cash discount of 10 per cent. A recent graduate of the Ohio State University, before engaging in farming on his own account on a portion of his father's farm, kept in mind for four or five months the problem of getting a complete equipment within his means. He first noted all the items which he considered necessary, basing his list on his previous experience. His second step consisted of the task of obtaining the net retail prices of the various articles. The result was a total so large that the third and most difficult step, that of determining the actual necessities, was pursued for a considerable time. Having finally reduced his list to the minimum, heentered into negotiations with several of the local merchants. Two of these made special efforts to obtain his order, and each made the suggestion that he lake a trip at the merchant's expense to one of the cities in tin- State and select his equipment from the large slocks in the wholesale supply houses. He accepted one of these offers, and during the state fair spent a half day in a large warehouse selecting articles of I lie style and quality desired. The ids were shipped to the local dealer, who obtained his profit and [Clr. 44] MINOB ARTICLES OF FABM EQUIPMENT. 13 still gave the purchaser a cash discounl of LO per cenl from the ordi- nary prices The young farmer brought his entire stock of miscella- neous equipmenl from the stoic at one trip with a team and wagon, and then spent a day or two arranging his workshop and disposing of his various purchases in the most convenient places, the extent of his outlay impressing him with the necessity for taking systematic care of the smallest details. Several items which wen- not up to the standard were taken hack and exchanged for perfecl goods at the local store, and in this way the entire outfll was delivered at the farm with very little expenditure of time and annoyance and in perfect con- dition. I'>\ following this method the farmer was enabled to make his selection from well-known brands and from a larger stock than that afforded bj the ordinary store, besides having a pleasant outing. Bis total purchase amounted to about $125, a portion being for household use. The following articles were charged against the farm business: leather halter i of paint gallon of barn paint bottle of machine "il .... small oil can leather punch pairs of gloves pair of shucking gloves. . shucking peg riveting machine soldering iron crew bar, 16 pounds i enter punch draw knife garden hue grindstone buggy robe blacksmith's vise, 5-inch. tamper pair scales, 600 pounds. . . oilstone gallons of harness "il jai k plane paint brush ratchel brace inch h -inch bit, 'inch ch -inch bit, l-inch handsaw [Cir 14 i ,0 . 10 60 .'() i0 20 .M til . L0 . 35 3 00 LI. 00 .50 00 1 . 75 .20 .30 .30 in 1 . 75 I handsaw 1 hack saw I compass saw 1 pair of pliers. I pair of pliers 1 post-hole digger \ -driver 2 shovels I scoop shovel 1 plastering trowel . . . '_' wedges I fork, 3 prongs I whetstone I mail box 1 wagon jack 1 bucket I sel of ladder in>n.~ . . J2 hulls, I 1-inch I horse blanket I whip 1 monkey wrench ator wrench. . . . I paint brush I seed sower. . 1 saw-set i bain, 15 feet . . - I ax and handle 1 hoy's ax ; chisel i !. ,-inch 1 chisel, L-inch I rope, l-inch, I . 15 LOO .30 L.25 1 . 20 . 75 .62 . 4(1 65 . 05 LOO LOO . 65 1.35 .49 . 25 .40 . 25 . 15 1.72 LOO .75 .20 .30 . 55 14 MINOR ARTICLES OF FARM EQUIPMENT. 1 tinner's snips fO. 35 5.00 .85 .75 .75 2.25 1.50 .20 .24 2.80 .75 .45 .35 .45 .15 .75 .90 .60 . 10 1 road scraper ! steel .square 1 nail hammer 1 ball peen hammer 1 jaekscrew 1 pipe wrench 1 currycomb 3 clevises 1 crosscut saw and handle. 5 files 1 grub hoe 1 garden hoe I horse brush 1 horse brush (for tail ) . . . 1 hatchet 1 lantern 1 fork, 4 prongs 1 punch 1 pick and handle 2 boxes of copper rivets. 2 boxes of tubular rivets. I spade 1 ditching spade 1 snath 1 scythe 1 wheelbarrow 1 hay knife 1 feed basket 1 pair of nippers 1 sledge and handle 3 quarts of paint Total Less 10 per rent cash discount . Net cost 10.60 .20 .10 .00 1.00 .75 . 75 1.75 . 75 .80 .75 .90 1. 15 106. 86 10. 69 96. 17 A similar course to that just described might well be pursued by many persons who are about to engage in general farming. As before stated, the saving through the merchant's discount is con- siderable. The merchant who furnished the majority of the prices contained in Table I stated that lot- a large bill of goods such as that under discussion he could afford to give from 10 to 20 per cent discount for cash on account of the size of the order and the saving in the cost of selling. This would pay interest on the investment for some years, to say nothing of the time which would be saved ih rough having the stock complete, at the beginning. On nearly every farm some articles will be found which have been bought at second hand. No doubt a considerable saving may be effected by thus securing articles at odd times when work is not press- ing. If, however, the business of the farm is stopped during attend- ance at a sale it is an open question whether the saving on minor items over the suggested method will be sufficient to cover the time spent. As a rule these articles are summed up in the sale bill as "too numerous to mention'' and no idea is given as to the extent or condition of the offering. The lists here given are in the nature of a census in that they present • lata from which each individual may secure the information suited to his own use. These lists are printed with thai object in view rather than as a recommendation of what should be purchased. Farmers' Bulletin 347, following a discussion of the various workshop tools, slates that the complete equipment of a shop for the making of general farm repairs should include a blacksmithing outfit, a $25 collection of wood-working and general-purpose tools, a pipe- working combination, miscellaneous tools, a harness-repair outfit, |('ir. 44] MINOB SiBTICLES OF FARM EQUIPMENT. 15 a workbench, a pair of sawhorses, and a grindstone, and thai this entire equipmenl for a shop can be secured for about $100 in a fair qualitj of goods, while for $150 tools of exeellenl quahty can be obtained. The great number of general-purpose items, other than those men- tioned, together with those for use in connection with the producing enterprises, and the stock of materials needed for the repair of farm equipmenl will easily bring the total cosl of a good working equip- ment in miscellaneous articles up to $250. The expenditure of this sum for this purpose in the organization of the farm is probabl} out of the question for manj fanners, but due consideration at the outset for the accessary investment in minor items will save much inconvenience and disappointment later. SUMMARY. Few farmers realize the extent of their investment in small items of equipmenl or the time and inconvenience involved in buying numerous ait ides singly or in small lots. Before planning the farm equipment , due consideration should he given to the necessary out lay for minor items, and where possible the latter should be secured at one purchase, thereby saving time and, usually, money. The pur- chase o\' these articles in such a manner will mean a total expenditure sufficient to impress the farmer with the need for their systematic care. The minor items for a general farm of Hid acres in Ohio and other middle Western State- will probably cost from $200 to $300. A|)|)io\ ed : .1 \mks Wilson, Secretary of Agriculturt . W \-.ui\<;ton. 1). ('.. November 30, 19 [Cir. 44.] O UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA Mlllll III 3 1262 08928 9564