A LONG WAY,BABY
I happened across a photo of an antique John Deere tractor yesterday, pictured at left. This machine was well before my time although I could not find the date of the antique.
The photo as compared with my current John Deere mower, shown below, indicates that it is probably one of the first tractors manufactured by the famous J.D. firm since the wheels were steel with cleats instead of the modern day rubber tires.
There were no specifications accompanying the photo, as to the power of the machine available, nor were there any explanation as to why the cleats on the wheels were essential. I take it for granted that the above machine was designed for work in the fields, and /or new grounds, rather than to mow domestic lawns.
I do know that very few rural folks maintained a smooth and well cared for yard in the olden days when this antique was in its hey-day; and, even then, homeowners would object to the steel cleats digging into the surface of their yards. Instead, they kept a weed free, swept, landscape.
The few city dwellers that insisted on grass in their yards, relied on a push- mowers for keeping the grass trimmed. I experienced the drudgery of using a push, reel-type, mower as a teenager and even when my child-bride and I were trying to keep up with the Jones’ by sowing grass in the yard of our first home.
In later years, and with the both of us working, we were able to afford a power, rotary, push mower; but it was close to our retirement years before we were able to sit on a comfortable seat, turn a key, and let a machine do all the work.
The ease of lawn mowing was not necessarily to our advantage since we were then required to resort to diets and additional exercise in attempts to control our ever expanding waistlines. However, we did enjoy a more laid-back lifestyle, even though it was detrimental to our health.
Now, in the twilight of our advanced years, we can accept or reject the fact that we are keeping twenty-eight Doctors employed full time.
It’s true that we’ve come “A long way, Baby.”
And the medical profession appreciates it.
Demijon
