Chapter 76 Horse-drawn Harvester
Under Paul's continued "concern", Huxin Town Agricultural Machinery Factory finally achieved major results not long ago. Harvester is the primary development target, and now it has finally blossomed. .
During the development process, Paul proposed two development ideas:
One is to develop a tractor-type harvester similar to the American McCormick harvester, which is pulled forward by livestock;
The other is a push-type harvester similar to the British Bell harvester, which is pushed forward by livestock.
After careful analysis, the craftsmen finally chose a tractor-type harvester because it was simpler.
In order to promote the research and development work of the agricultural machinery factory and create an ideal testing environment, the Earl asked the craftsmen to conduct bold experiments on Graiman's own farmland.
However, the performance of the early experimental models was really poor. Seeing the large areas of grain being "wasted", the servants responsible for managing the farm were so distressed that they burst into tears. They secretly complained that Paul was too spendthrift, and they had to be responsible for cleaning up after the experiment. A messy wheat field.
But the wheat fields that were "ruined" by the craftsmen eventually yielded great results.
The finalized harvester is pulled by two horses and is equipped with a ground-wheel-driven cutting knife, a reel and an ear-gathering table. It can not only cut the wheat, but also automatically organize the cut pieces. Wheat, neatly stacked on the workbench at the back, can be raked up by a man walking along the machine, harvesting 3 to 4 times faster than by hand.
Before that, a farmer who was good at swinging a sickle might only be able to harvest about 3 acres of grain in a day. With the harvester, a man with a horse could harvest 10 acres or more of grain in a day.
This will greatly improve farmers' labor productivity and also liberate farmers from heavy physical labor, giving them more energy to engage in other work.
Standing next to the finalized harvester, Paul proudly said to the craftsmen and Hansel, Mellon and others who came with him: "Gentlemen, this will be the first step in the mechanization of our agriculture. The first step."
Hansel was very excited. He used to work as a farm tax collector in the suburbs of the royal capital. He knew very well: Wheat is best harvested when it is nine years old. Once it reaches ten years old, the wheat grains will be harvested. Nutrients will flow back into the straw, causing the grain weight to decrease, and the yield per mu will be reduced by 30 kilograms to 50 kilograms. If it rains continuously, the grains will sprout and become moldy, resulting in poor quality and greater losses.
In view of the inefficiency of traditional manual harvesting, even if more cultivated land can be opened and more grains can be planted, it will not be able to harvest in the mature season due to the restriction of the optimal harvesting period.
Now with this harvester, if other factors are not considered, three times more grains can be grown and harvested three times more than before.
Myron's eyes were filled with stars, and he grabbed Paul's sleeve and said, "Paul, this harvester will build a lot of harvesters. Can they also be used by farmers in Baierding?"
Paul patted his chest and said: "Of course, my brothers, Bairdin and Alda will treat them equally."
The craftsmen were also very happy and even excited. They also often worked in the fields, so they naturally knew how to harvest. The machine is of great significance. Although the initial design was completed by the lords, the later perfection and improvement were carried out by them. It must be said that it is an honor to personally participate in the invention process of such a great creation.
Paul cleared his throat and shouted to the craftsmen: "Your creations will be able to produce more food and save more people from hunger. This great achievement is no less than in history. heroes and saints. I announce that everyone who participates in the development will receive at least 1 gold coin as a reward. I will increase it based on each person’s contribution. The greater the contribution, the greater the reward.”< br>
"Oh~~" The craftsmen exclaimed in disbelief. The lord not only raised them to a height comparable to the heroes and saints, but also made them a fortune.
For a time, words such as praise, gratitude, allegiance, etc. poured in towards Paul.
Although the harvester was successfully developed, Paul was not satisfied with this. He ordered the craftsmen to continuously improve the harvester to make it more convenient, more durable, and more efficient, and promised that every time Improvements will come with significant rewards.
The next step is promotion. Unfortunately, it is already September. When establishing the agricultural machinery factory, Paul was too optimistic about the research and development efficiency, so he prioritized the harvester in order to catch up with this year. wheat harvest, but now it seems that it has not caught up after all. The wheat grown in the northwest has basically been harvested at this time. But he still kept a wheat field on his farm and allowed it to sprout and become moldy, just to serve as a demonstration when promoting it.
Within a few days, Huxin Town issued an order to the farmers’ associations that had been established in various places: In the name of the Lord’s Mansion, the landowners of each village and town were required to arrive at Huxin Town within two days. Earl Graiman would They demonstrate a piece of agricultural machinery of great significance.
The landowners saw an exciting sight on the farm near Huxin Town: a strange machine pulled by two horses. This mechanical monster had a wooden turning wheel and a machine with sharp teeth. The cutting arm reciprocates like a saw. As the horse pulls in, bunches of wheat are harvested and stacked neatly on the workbench behind.
The crowd of onlookers was very excited, and these farmers who were familiar with farming exclaimed: "It's just like a dream."
Hansel was responsible for hosting the demonstration, and he lost no time in it He started selling: "Gentlemen, the name of this machine is a 'harvester'. Do you want it?"
"Yes! Of course I want it." "Does the Lord want to sell this machine?" "Let's talk about the price."
The farmers were intrigued and enthusiastic.
Humphrey quoted the price: "998 Aldo silver coins for a harvester."
When everyone heard the price, they all exclaimed, this is too expensive, right? The atmosphere suddenly cooled down.
“Don’t worry, everyone, Lord Graiman allows you to ‘pay in installments’, that is, you don’t need to settle it all at once, but pay a part of the deposit first, and then pay a sum of money at regular intervals until the payment is completed. Until then.”
“Think about it! One harvester can support several skilled farmers. With it, you can open up more fields and plant more wheat.”
"998 silver coins, as long as 998 silver coins, you can't buy it and suffer a loss, you can't buy it and be fooled, what are you waiting for?"
Hansel was selling hoarsely, and some farmers were discussing with each other whether the price was It's a good deal, and some are stroking around the harvester, their eyes full of longing.
Finally, a farmer shouted: "I bought it, do I need to go through any formalities?"
"This gentleman is so refreshing!" Hansel gave the farmer a thumbs up. , immediately arranged for a affairs officer from the Ministry of Agriculture to lead him to sign the agreement.
Actually, this person was a shill arranged by Hansel, but as soon as he came to the fore, several people quickly followed suit and wanted to buy it, and more and more people wanted to buy it one after another.
On the same day after the demonstration, Huxin Town Agricultural Machinery Factory received more than 20 orders.
Most of the farmers said they would like to go home and think about it, but Hansel said that the door of the Huxin Town Agricultural Machinery Factory is open to them at any time.
As for the farmers, it is very difficult for them to purchase a harvester with their own financial resources, so Paul instructed the Huxin Town Agricultural Machinery Factory to add a rental business. During the busy farming season, farmers' associations in various places organize farmers Collect money to rent equipment from an agricultural machinery factory for use.
Agricultural reform in the northwest Gulf region can finally see a glimmer of light.
Thanks to "Never Ending", "Maybe We Never Give Up", and "ZDIAN Jade Bracelet" for their rewards.
(End of this chapter)