Engineering book

Front matter

Class r\ 6 /e:T Book_ :_

Copyright N°.

copyright deposit.

Author's Preface

AN Indiana farmer recently remarked that his son, just home from school, was doing the same work with a tractor that formerly required three men and eleven horses to do. And this was done at less expense. What does this mean? He was able to release three men and eleven horses to be used for further production elsewhere and also to increase his own production with the same effort. This is a distinct addition to the wealth of society; that is, there will be more food, more shelter and more enjoyment for EVERYONE. The rapid growth in the use of machinery, concrete and the more durable materials has improved the method of living until the poorest citizen lives in a palace compared with conditions of only a century ago.

All this wonderful change in the things about us requires educational advancement to prepare those who are past the school age and to assist those who are in school to take advantage of them. The writer has in these pages that follow endeavored to give the reader the latest and most practical ideas and how they may be applied. Works of this kind now on the market have been excellent in their day, but new ideas and methods require new treatment.

This work is written for the owner or operator of the farm who has always

progressed as opportunity offered. Progress is the leading thought. In every subject

are new and advanced ideas, with special treatment, designed for the immediate use of the most modern farm.

The author has covered a broad list of subjects, each of them of vital interest to the farmer. These are handled in a way distinctly useful. High sounding and theoretical phrases are omitted. The work is intended to be a working guide to the busy man who has little time to theorize, but must and will get things done.

In the chapter on Engines, Automobiles and Tractors will be found the result of experience with and the teaching of this subject for many years. The theory of the Gasoline Engine is presented in a simple, concise manner that any school boy of twelve years can understand. The treatise on fuels is brief, but complete. Power rating and testing of engines is a unique feature. The Trouble Chapter is a departure from the ordinary method. The troubles are listed and described first. The owner will have no use for this chapter until the trouble arises. The Upkeep Chapter should be mastered at once, and the Trouble Chapter will not become necessary.

Automobiles are no longer a luxury, but a necessity. The chapter on Care is given first place, since proper study of the chapter will make the auto a profit instead of a loss. The farmer may become his own repair man and save the excessive fees charged by the average garage. Auto Hints are money savers to the sensible owner. Each is presented in a simple, usable style.

One of the seven wonders is surely concrete. This magic powder changes sand and gravel hills into mansions of art and -usefulness. Now over a hundred cement mills pour out their millions of barrels" 4 a -ily- This tremendous output is indicative of the general application it so richly deserves.

Although cement and concrete are as common now as timber was a few years ago, yet the science of making good concrete is in its infancy. Every day new ideas and discoveries are being brought to light. The writer is in touch constantly with the most recent practice in cement and concrete manufacture. The chapter on Materials for Concrete takes up each aggregate in detail. The origin and value of each material is plainly stated. The care and storing of these materials is taken up and suggestions made that will be easy for the farmer to fill. This chapter should be read with care, as it is the foundation of good concrete manufacture. The chapters on Concrete and Concrete Construction take up the mixing, coloring, cost and construction in an extensive manner. The whole work is profusely illustrated, so as to make the application universal. Hundreds of other illustrations were available, but the author has selected only those which are typical and will be needed first on the farm.

Preface

When these are successfully made, the farmer will easily construct from his own plans larger and more complicated structures.

The department on Heating Plants takes up the principal points in heating, and particular attention is called to the discussion on hot-air furnaces. If the instructions given are properly followed, success will always result. Simple and easy diagrams and plans are given. With the suggestions given, a farmer may put in his own heating plant, whether it be of hot air, hot water or steam, and save the excessive labor costs' charged by the union plumber. ,

It is said that the first convenience on the farm should be water under pressure. This is taken up in the chapter on Water Supply and Plumbing. The illustrations in this department portray so well modern practice and are backed up by the experience of the United States Government. Many of the suggestions were taken from their bulletins. After a careful study of this department, the farmer will be a.ble to provide the conveniences of city residence at a minimum cost.

There is probably no other single factor which will improve a farm so much as drainage, especially when drainage is necessary. The thorough discussion given in this department is boiled down as result of long experience and study. It is made simple and convenient, so as not to tire out the reader with a lot of needless detail. Where expert advice is necessary, the use of an engineer is suggested.

Second only to drainage is irrigation. In this department is briefly told the story of irrigation in the United States. The information is put in a workable style and the theory made as practical as possible. Irrigation in humid climates is touched upon The average opinion has been in regard to the future for the individual that if he couldn't do anything else, he could go on the farm. This is all changed. The farming business is the largest in the world and should be the best managed. The purpose of this department is to assist in bringing about this change. The theory of business is simply stated, and practical hints and outlines are given for increasing the efficiency of the farm in every way.

The conservation of the country's resources is much talked of in the press, always referring to coal, oil and timber. This is unfair. The wastes of the nation are not limited to these three commodities. The protection of our structures against the destructive elements of the atmosphere is a branch of conservation well known but seldom talked about. This work would not be complete without giving some simple advice on the use and selection of paint. There are so many fraudulent paints and preservatives on the market that a simple treatise on the subject is needed at this time to safeguard the busy farmer who hasn't time to go into the science of the manufacture of these materials. Only practical formulas that have been long tried out and are easy for the farmer to secure and use are treated. There are_ thousands of recipes which are difficult to mix and apply and are no better than the simple ones suggested. Wherever it is advisable to buy on the market in prepared form rather than to mix the raw materials, the advice is so given. The author could have filled a hundred pages with formulas for the scientific man who is unlimited by capital or machinery, but this is not practical for the busy farmer and has been avoided.

Probably there is nothing on the farm more useful than rope. In nearly every neighborhood is found some old sailor who is called upon for miles around to do what rope repairing is necessary. With this chapter the farmer will be able to do this work himself, and not only save the expense of hiring his neighbor to do it, but the time in going after him, which is ofte^i more valuable.

In preparing this work the author is irid'eb&ed to the Witte Gas Engine Company, Fairbanks-Morse Company, International Harvester Companv, the Buick Automobile Company, the American Portland Cement Association. Universal Portland Cement Company, Wisconsin University Experiment Station, Minnesota Experiment Station, the Montana Experiment Station, Ohio Experiment Station. Department of Agriculture, Montgomery Ward & Company, and many other authorities mentioned in the footnotes, where their work is used. Without the help of the above a work of this kind would be impossible. The hearty thanks of the author and the reader is here recorded to those who have helped to make this work a success.

Should the reader at any time feel disposed to write concerning any part of this work, the author would be pleased to have criticisms submitted, and wherever corrections are necessary he will appreciate his attention being called to it.

R. C. YEOMAN,

Valparaiso, Ind.

Table Of Contents

ENGINEERING

Pages

Mechanical Power on the Farm, Power Produces Profit, Gas Engine Uses on the Farm, Elements of Gas Engine, Principles of Combustion, Simple Principle of a Gas Engine, Operation of Gas Engine, Types of Two-Cycle Engines, Three-Port Engine, Details of Gas Engine, Carburation, Adjusting the Mixture of Fuel and Air, Back-firing, Rich Mixture and its Effect, Gas Engine Combustion, Combustion and Explosion, Timing the Ignition, Cooling the Engine, Source of Power in Gas Engines, Kinds of Fuel, Composition of Crude Petroleum, Separation of Petroleum Products, Petroleum Products Classified, Baume Scale, Correct Approximate Weight of Petroleum Products, Petroleum Fuels now on Market, Heating Value of Petroleum Products, Power Rating of Cias Engine, Power, Indicator or Indicated and Drawbar Horse Power, Calculating the Engine Horse Power, Best Way to Get Horse Power, Brake Test for Gasoline Engines, Operation, Need for Testing Engine, Economy Test, Power House or Shop on Farm, Care, Location of Power House, Shafting, Pulleys, Spacing the Hangers, Machines and Line Shaft, Engine and the Machines, Managing the Power Plant, Pulleys, Speeds and Sizes, Gas Engine Trouble, Troubles Analyzed, Miscellaneous Upkeep of a Gas Engine.