“Tripod” Harvesting

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 17947, 26 November 1932, Page 14

“Tripod” Harvesting

AN interesting demonstration of the new “tripod" system of harvesting was given at the Hampshire County Farm Institute, Spars hoi r, states an English paper. The inventor of the system is Capt. A. Proctor, a Scottish farmer, and it consists of metal tripods placed in the fields at the rate of seven to the acre, around which fodder or grain crops arc built into “huts.” Three vent holes left in building the crops round the' tripods allow air to circulate freely and perfect drying to take place. It is claimed that the huts so built, are practically weather-proof, and that grain and hay are insured against damage by rain or birds; that hay treated in this way is enhanced in feeding value by being neither scorched up by the sun nor soaked through by rain. No raking or turning of hay is required, and the farmer can build his rick or thresh his corn at leisure. A hay sweep attached to a tractor can bo backed under each hut, and transport it bodily to the rick or the threshing machine. Two men with one tractor have done the

work of two tractors, .three wagons, and eight men using orthodox methods. Pitching up of hay or corn into wagons is eliminated. A iicld can be cleared of huts at considerable speed, and one tractor has been carrying them to the machine at the rate of 26 an hour. Each .hut contains from 100 to 120 sheaves.

Both corn and hay had been purposely left out in the huts for longer than necessary through the bad weather. The wheat threshed out well and gave a dry, good sample. The straw, after going through the machine, was even, fresh, and of good color. Hay that had been built into a huM&ince June smelt sweet and dry; it was good, dry, green fodder, full of nourishment and not stalky. The initial outlay will be the chief objection to many farmers. The tripods cost 4s 6d each, will do equally well for corn or hay, and are design<m to last for at least 20 Even so, an additional outlay of ,11s 6d an acre i? a senous matter in these times, when oats and' barley represent a loss to the grower in any case.