The Harvester World: Volume 4, number 2, February 1913

              The Harvester World

he must have facilities for doing this. After his drill in construction, he is ready for trouble work. One can talk troubles until he is black in the face and still not see his instruction bear fruit until he sees his students in the laboratory nobly helping themselves out of trouble on an engine which has been purposely thrown out of
A First Class College Laboratory at which internal combustion Engines are demonstrated
commission by not only the most common but also the most complex gas engine troubles. Hence we see the value of laboratory equipment as a supplement to class room work in making possible a more efficient training in this one branch of the work. This equipment must consist of more than an engine or two, for it must be sufficient to accommodate a class of one hundred men. Then, too, it should consist of various sizes of engines from the |-horse power to the IS-horse power tractor. The courtesy of manufacturers makes possible such an equipment.
In the field machine work a greater variety of ma¬ chines must be used. In the class room the student is given the theory of a particular type of machine, emphasis being laid in a general way upon essential details—what they mean and what they should accom¬ plish. Various makes of that particular machine are then discussed and these same essentials shown in the various forms in which the manufacturer obtains them. Conditions influencing operation are taken up, adjust¬ ments for efficiency taught, and finally trouble and repair work are gone into with more or less detail. This work would be of little value, even to the farm youth, if he could not now go to the laboratory to study with his own eyes and operate with his own hands, these details to which his attention has been called. Nor will one machine of any particular type answer the purpose. For instance, why acquaint a student with the details, troubles, and remedies of a McCormick binder if his father is operating a Deering, or if he him¬ self prefers a Milwaukee; or why acquaint him with the details of but one manure spreader, cream separator or hay loader? Besides his general theoretical training, the student must gain a general knowledge of more or less detail on a number of machines of a particular type. This will broaden his conception of the machines on the market. He can talk intelligently and think finan¬ cially about a variety of makes, and through his labora¬ tory experience he can more efficiently handle his final choice. Again we realize the necessity of laboratory equipment and its extent, if the most thorough work is to result. When we consider the great number of differ¬ ent makes of the various field machines, we cannot help but realize the aid given by manufacturers in loan¬ ing this equipment.
Another course at the University of Illinois in which International machines are largely worked upon is a course preparing men to do expert work on harvesting
machines in the field. The course is a popular one and only those students who show promising ability are successful in it. The men are required to take each IHC binder down in detail and erect it again until they become thoroughly familiar with each part, its function and exact position, and until they acquire great speed in the operation. They are then thoroughly drilled in binder troubles, particularly binder attach¬ ment troubles, being required to make all adjust¬ ments and study effects, and to locate and remedy troubles. Similar work is given on haying tools and spreaders. The work is in charge of a man who has experted for the International Harvester Company for several seasons. From four to eight of the most suc¬ cessful students in this work travel each summer as experts for the harvester companies, a few remaining with the companies as salesmen. This road experience is invaluable to the successful men, and again these advantages could not be extended by the Agricultural College unless the necessary equipment was at hand.
The machines used for class work are known as the Machinery Exhibit, for when not in use by the students in the laboratory they are placed on the exhibition floor for inspection by interested parties. This exhibition is a miniature State Fair exhibit minus the salesman's songs, but to be most useful it should be arranged with placards calling attention to special features of con¬ struction, and thus become a silent education to which farmers and students can resort to quietly think over claims made for any particular machine and its adapt¬ ability to certain conditions.
An agricultural college stands for the progress of agriculture in the state of which it is an institution. It is to train young people to be of more service to them¬ selves and to their state. It is also to be of service to the farmers of the state through its experimental station and corps of instruction. We have shown briefly the benefits of machine exhibits to the Agricultural College by showing that a more efficient training for the student is made possible, but there is another benefit to be derived. The fact that a full line of implements may be kept on hand instigates experimental work with machines and allows the college force to fortify itself with information of value to farmers who are continu¬ ally inquiring concerning their implements. It must be remembered, however, that the greatest fairness to both farmer and manufacturer is exercised in this regard. The student is not told which machine is the best, for no one knows that positively. Principles are given, theories discussed, the student is taught to look broadly and think for himself, and he must then use his knowl¬ edge of principles for his own conclusions.
In this day when the farmer is awakening to machine efficiency, purchase, and care, there is a great demand being made upon the college department which handles the subject. The efficiency of that department is measured by the thoroughness, practicability and re¬ liability of the work it is able to give, and it is duly appreciative of the aid loaned by the manufacturer which makes possible a more efficient work. Not only is the college grateful, but the student is thankful, and the commonwealth should be appreciative of the many and far-reaching benefits to be derived.
HIS NEED
" Young Jones says that all that he needs is a start." "No;  what he needs is a self-starter." — American Lumberman.