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The author first considers the size of farm on which tractors can be used profitably. Confining his remarks to certain of the central and north central states, he points out the fact that there is a strong tendency for farms from 20 to 100 acres to be combined with others to make units of a more efficient size for the application of modern farming methods. Farms from 100 to 500 acres, representing 65 per cent of the total farm acreage, are the greatest users of tractors. Farms over 500 acres contain 25 per cent of the farm land, and also represent an important tractor market. Efficient sizes of tractors are next treated; three and four-plow sizes are generally preferred. Belt work, representing 50 per cent of a typical tractor's work, and other special duties performed by the tractor are next referred to.

The author describes a number of detailed developments that took place during the working out of a line of worm-driven trucks. The details of front axle and steering parts are dealt with at length, the reasons for the final constructions being clearly explained and the constructions themselves well illustrated. Details concerning difficulty with the Hotchkiss type of drive on heavy trucks, troubles with drive-shafts and lubrication of the worm wheel are all covered thoroughly; spring-shackle construction and lubrication, radiator and hood mounting come in for detailed attention and the question of governors is interestingly covered. Brief reference is made to the influence of unsprung weight, the differences between truck and pleasure car practice in this respect being pointed out.

Inasmuch as horses cannot meet the demand for increased farm power, the tractor must come at once. So far the supply of tractors has been entirely inadequate to meet the demand. The author specifiies some of the problems that confront designers of farm tractors. To make the tractor immediately available for farm work, it must be adaptable to practically all of the existing types of horse-drawn implements, besides furnishing belt power for a wide variety of present power-driven farm machinery. In designing tractors it must be remembered that the horse is a very flexible unit, capable of a wide variation in power output. Designing a tractor to furnish the necessary power for the majority of farm conditions, requires an intimate knowledge of crops, soils and farm management. These must be analyzed carefully so as to make the machine have as wide a range of usefulness as possible.