I took Jane's suggestion and went down to the Tonka dealership. The salesman was very pleasant. I asked if I could test drive one of their newest models. Since they come in a cardboard box the salesman said he would have to check with his manager before they could authorize it. Isn't that always the case? They always disappear into the back room to 'talk' with the manager. I said I could bring the field down to the dealership if need be. It was the end of the day so I will have to wait till Monday. I hear Farmall has some pretty nice tractors, maybe I should try them. Anyone have a Farmall? Jerry
I don't have any but there is a man out on Hwy. 90 who has some. He sells his at trade shows, etc. It's quite a ways to come for one though. Your cornfield may be grown by then. dooley
Jerry, usually beginning farmers buy used equipment. Try yard sales. Alternately, if you're quick, a day-care facility when the kiddies aren't looking. File off the engine numbers and no one can prove the tractor isn't yours!
FOR SALE Used mini John Deers tractor, even comes with the dirt. Circa 1984 (old) Direct from Dyersville. One original owner.Runs good. Will deliver for a mini bushel of corn. Call my mini cellphone. Barb in silly Pa.
One of the requirements of the tractor is that it has to turn on a dime. So I'm looking for a small tractor. A used on would be O.K. The problem with day-care center tractors is that the owners chew on the tires. That could be a problem. Jerry
I would send you our old tractor but I fear it will be too big for your field even though the girls have outgrown it.
Jerry, I found just the tractor for you. I went out to see that man on HWY. 90 and he had a row of farmall tractors. There was one for most states, but alas not one for Massachusetts. So, he donated one for the state nearest to you. It's from New Hampshire, I hope you don't mind. It is red and says Farmall C on the side. I think it might turn on a quarter though, not a dime. I wonder if I should air freight it or send it on a truck. I'll see what I can find out about shipping tractors. dooley
Technical progress report on 11 individual corn stalks in the portable cornfield as of 12-05-11, length is in centimeters: 1. 7.7 2. 13.0 3. 10.2 4. 13.1 5. 10.3 6. 14.9 7. 7.1 8. 10.2 9. 8.5 10. 13.7 11. 15.4 This is after a growth period for 1-9 of 22 days and 30 days for 10 and 11 10 and 11 being the original two plants that were also transplanted on 11-25-2011 (I don't think they liked being transplanted) Jerry
I think to ship a tractor, all the gasoline/diesel has to be drained. A thimble may work. Tie down on a flat bed can be accomplished with a needle and a thread. Please thank the man on Hwy. 90 for me. Jerry
Sometime during the night #7, the runt of the field, passed on to the big cornfield in the sky. Those in attendance were 1-6 and 8-11. The remains were interned in the field it enjoyed so much. The remaining 10 plants will carry on, their challenge to reach the elephants eye. The passing of #7 ( photo / image / picture from Jerry Sullivan's Garden ) On a side note: some bird dropped a sunflower seed in the cornfield. I wonder if the new seedling qualifies as a cash crop? Cash Crop? ( photo / image / picture from Jerry Sullivan's Garden ) Jerry
I'm sorry to hear about #7 passing from this world. I did get the tractor shipped. Air freight was rather pricey so it will come by surface freight. It will just take a few days. Since it is a new tractor, it did not have fuel and oil yet so you will need to remedy that when it arrives. Enjoy the use of it. dooley
Jerry, I have an eyedropper I can lend you for getting the proper lubricants and fuel into your new tractor.
Oh, no! You lost one. On the bright side you gained one, so we'll just have to see how the sun flower will do. Has your tractor arrived yet?
#10 is down!! If a cornstalk falls in the middle of a cornfield does anyone hear it? The dust had barely settled when it became obvious that #10 was not going to get up in its own accord. A check of the other stalks around it revealed none had a similar affliction, the problem appeares to be limited to the one cornstalk. So far........ Today is a day without sunshine, the sun is not scheduled to shine till Friday. The nine cornstalks carry on. Followed by a sunflower. Jerry
