Tractors used for hauling machines or trailers used in the construction industry or agriculture are specifically designed vehicles that are made to deliver high torque or tractive effort at low speeds. Commonly, this term describes the distinctive farm vehicle. This is because they are used to tow agricultural implements and also may be used to supply power to mechanized implements.
When, at slow speed, you want higher tractive effort or as it is commonly known as torque, then there is a specially designed vehicle called the tractor. The purpose may be hauling of machinery or a trailer that is used in agriculture as well as in the construction industry. However, this term is commonly used for describing a distinctive farm vehicle.
In Germany, Spain, Ireland, Argentina, Australia, India and Britain, tractor implies farm tractor, generally speaking. However, in Canada and US, it may additionally refer to the tractor’s trailer.
Portable engines in the early 19th century were the first farm implements that were powered. Steam engines were placed onto wheels that could then be used for driving mechanical farm machines using flexible belts. About 1850, these engines became the basis of first traction engine that were quite widely adopted for agricultural use.
If you talk about the first tractor engines, then they were ploughing engines that were powered by steam. Using a cable wire, a pair of these tractor engines were used for hauling a plough between them, back and forth across the field. In US, the condition of soils often permitted a direct-haul plough using a steam engine. However, in the UK and other places used ploughing engines that resulted in cable-hauled ploughing.
Untill the 20th century, agricultural engines powered by steam were used, however, later on more reliable engines with internal combustion support were developed which replaced the earlier engines.
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Paul Stamets’ Mycelium Running is a must have reference book for anyone working the land in any form, whether it be farming, forest management or environmental cleanup. But also for people who, like me, enjoy growing things, especially delectable edibles.
The book is a treasure trove of useful practical information on what Stamets refers to as mycofiltration (of water), mycoremediation (of toxic waste), and tips on how mushroom mycelium can help improve soils and boost productivity in farming and forestry with less use of pesticides and fertilizers.
A detailed description of Mycofiltration, the use of mushrooms to filter waste water, is given in one section of the book. It lists recommended mushroom species and materials to use in creating the mycofiltration bed, as well as dimensions, depth, layers, etc. Mycofiltration beds like this can be effectively used for both industrial waste water and farm runoff.
Not only does it solve the problem of farm runoff and E. coli contamination of nearby streams, it can also yield highly palatable food mushrooms, and the bed itself can be dug out every 2-3 years and then used as an excellent fertilizer for the farm.
Also useful for farmers is the information on no-till farming, which involves a method of leaving the stubble on the field until the next crops is planted. This encourages the development of saprophytic fungi, which break down old plant matter at a pace that’s highly beneficial for new plant life. In contrast, the conventional method of plowing down the stubble after harvest promotes anaerobic bacteria, which decompose organic substrate too rapidly. The saprophytic fungi also help prevent soil erosion and leaching of valuable nutrients and top soil.
For forestry, not only do saprophytic fungi help break down and recycle organic matter. They also help combat many parasitic fungi (blights) that may kill large numbers of trees. Stamets gives useful suggestions on how to seed beneficial saprophytic fungi in blight infested forests as a natural “fungicide,” fighting fire with fire, so to speak.
Mycorrhizal fungi likewise can be seeded to support tree growth, or these beneficial fungi may simply be encouraged to grow naturally through smarter and more enlightened forest management.
Most plants form symbiotic relationships with mushrooms. The mushroom mycelium more effectively absorbs water and nutrients, exchanged with trees for sugars, making the trees healthier and more drought resistant. Mycorrhizal fungi also provide trees with natural antibiotics against pathogens.
Another cutting edge technology in Mycelium Running is Mycoremediation, the neutralization of toxins through the use of mushroom mycelium. The term Mycoremediation was coined by Paul Stamets, author of Mycelium Running, but was already in common use among mycologists before publication.
Contaminants that may be effectively mycoremediated include, but are not limited to, heavy metals, pathological bacteria (such as E. coli), petrochemicals, neurotoxins, dioxin, toxic dyes and other toxic industrial waste.
Mycoremediation has also been shown to be the most economical method of cleaning up toxic waste sites, up to 95% cheaper than some common conventional methods.
All that is just in the first half of this 300-page book; the second half is an instruction manual on growing your own mushrooms and mycelia, which is something that may be of interest to forest managers for mycoforestry, environmentalists for mycoremediation, farmers for increasing soil productivity, and the rest of us for growing our own gourmet mushrooms for food and medicine. In other words, this is a book for anyone and everyone.
Dr. Rafael has worked in the natural health field since finishing Chiropractic College in’96. He currently focuses on medicinal fungi, frequently consulting two reference books: for chemical, biological and medicinal properties of mushrooms, and by David Arora as the most complete identification guide for North American mushrooms.
When you build a greenhouse for your hobby garden, there are several things that need to be considered before construction.
Primarily, greenhouse construction is a skill in it’s own right. Hiring a construction company that claims to have built a few greenhouse structures could be trouble. Greenhouses are unique and costs can be high so you will want them to be constructed by a true professional greenhouse builder. Working with a general contractor on a greenhouse could be the most basic cause of problems with greenhouse construction. There are special tools, and greenhouse pieces that are completely unique to the greenhouse builder. Working with glass or polycarbonate is also craft honed by only greenhouse builders familiar with the greenhouse construction process.
Also, the greenhouse builder needs to be knowledgeable in all facets of the greenhouse process, from the design, to the manufacturing, to the building. In the planning a greenhouse builder will know how to place your vents, doors, what type of misting systems to use, if a humidifier is necessary or if your greenhouse needs full sun or partial sun. The greenhouse builder will have special regard to the joints clips, and special features that can or can not be used on the greenhouse.
Third, greenhouse construction needs to be done with a knowledgable team of crew, workers, manufacturer, and owner all working together to make sure all of the parts and pieces arrive at the site early and ready for installation. This will move smoothly but could be a major problem if not installed by knowledgable craftsmen. Imagine missing a piece only to learn the part came from China, and will take two weeks to be delivered. This can be costly and the project hindered.
Fourth, a qualified greenhouse construction crew will know more than a general contractor when planning a greenhouse. Many details are considered such as the air flow of the greenhouse, how size of structure affects the life of the plants, climates and issues that may arise with the certain manufacturers of the equipment used. A professional greenhouse builder will work with architects, engineers and landscape designers well before you get to the ordering process.
So, these are just a few of the situations to consider with greenhouse construction and your greenhouse builder should be able to sit down with you and explain more in detail some of the important issues in building for your gardening pleasure.
When planning your custom greenhouse, make sure you check out more information on at
