T H E CHEM AW A AM ERICAN
A CHANGE IN M A C H IN E R Y
Man in loosening the soil found that the grain grew
better. He at first used a forked stick and with the
help of the working beast he stirred up the soil as best
he could. Later on came the wooden plow, which
soon after developed into the plow with a steel plow
share. There are many different kinds of these plows,
but all are made upon the same principle. They have
now what is called the tractor, which runs by gasoline.
There are five or six plowshares attached to this,
therefore less labor and time are required. The single
plow is greatly used yet, which is all right on very
small farms.
After a field is plowed it has to be broken up more so
that the plants can run their roots into and about the
earth more easily. The disc-plow, which at first was
run by horse power, is run by gas or steam power,
which takes less time, less labor and is especially valu
able on a large farm. The discs, which are of steel,
the edges being sharpened, when run over the plowed
earth, cut and break sods, clods and large lumps of
soil. Instead of raking as man does on the very small
garden, to smooth and crumble the earth to a fine de
gree, a harrow is used; the spring tooth harrow is
the most widely known.
The cultivating done formerly by hand, then by hoe,
is also done by various kinds of cultivating machines,
their different powers being the horse, steam or gas,
which do work where lots of it is required.
H arvesting of grain which formerly was done by a
knife with a curved blade of steel, later a larger and
more improved blade attached to a long handle called
the scythe, is done by the more modern, labor-saving
mowing machine. It does more work in less time,
and is, like the others, run by horse, gas or steam
powers. Improvements are constantly being made on
different tilling, cultivating and and harvesting ma
chinery so as to reduce labor, expense and time.
To the business-like farmer, proper equipment, for
farm work, is the most im portant factor of farming
and he realizes well that his greatly valued time is
saved through using the machinery that is made for
some individual purpose, as plowing, cultivating,
etc., and not only the proper equipment, but good
work cannot be done with poor machinery, if good
work cannot be had first good results cannot be ob
tained, and as much or more labor is expended.
There is much waste in surplus machinery, as thbre
is in surplus labor. If it cannot be used it should be
sold or given away so that it may do some good—ma
chinery is always depreciating in value with age. If the
farmer, especially the one who farms on a large scale,
has all the machinery he needs, the shed where it is
kept will have to be quite large in order to hold all
necessary implements, so the surplus, if not thrown
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out or got rid of in some way, would take up lots of
room and being in the way would probably cause
some damage.
As weather causes a rapid decaying of machinery,
a sheltered place should be set aside on every farm for
the storage of farm machinery. A farmer of today
must necessarily be somewhat of a mechanic in order
to keep farm machines in good working order. All
breakages should be repaired at once, and duplicate
parts kept on hand to save delay. The failure to repair
farm machines promptly, often causes a loss of much
time and sometimes the discarding of valuable ma
chinery.—Alicia Kimball, Senior.
LOCAL
Mrs. Hall, Mrs. Jaquins and the Sigma Phi Delta
girls, wish to thank the many kind people who so gen
erously helped them to make the “ wedding” such a
success Saturday evening.
David Forsman, one of Chemawa’s boys who en
listed in the Engineer Corps last fall, died a few days
ago at Fort Bliss, Texas, from scarlet fever. Anothei
gold star in Chemawa’s Service Flag.
At their special meeting the members of the Excel
sior Literary Society decided to give their annual
party soon.
Everybody declared themselves much pleased with
the concert of the band last Friday evening. Here is
an aggreation of youngsters who have been instructed
by their bandmaster, Mr. Loos, and whose work is
incst creditable in every way—in fact, few average
city bandmen can “ follow the stick” as well as these
boys. All of the music rendered on this occasion was
written especially for this band by Mr. Loos and it is
certainly is a strong testimonial in his favor. His de
scriptive number, “ A Day at Chemawa,” is splendid.
The evening was happily spent.
EA STER
Easter was celebrated at Chemawa with appropriate
exercises in the auditorium on Sunday evening. The
stage was nicely decorated and the girls on the plat
form in white uniforms presented a pleasing picture.
The program was as follows:
1. Selection by G irls’ Mandolin and G uitar Club
2. Exercise—“ N ature’s G reeting”
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Six T hird Grade Girjs
3. “ Summer Days”
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G irls’ Octette
4. Selection—“ On Mountain H eights”
School Orchestra
5. Vocal Solo—“ Four Leaf Clover” Rose Deschamp
6. Exercise— “ A gain”
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Three Third Grade Girls
7. Selection by G irls’ Mandolin and Guitar Club
8. Reading— “ Building of the S hip” Elwood Towner
9. A nthem —“ Sing with all the Sons of Glory ” Choir