This book makes no pretensions to originality. It has taken the best from every source. The author believes the matter has been arranged in a more simple and effective manner, and that more information has been crowded into these pages than will be found within the pages of any similar book.
The professional engineer, in writing a book for young engineers, is likely to forget that the novice is unfamiliar with many terms which are like daily bread to him. The present writers have tried to avoid that pitfall, and to define each term as it naturally needs definition. Moreover, the description of parts and the definitions of terms have preceded any suggestions on operation, the authors believing that the young engineer should become thoroughly familiar with his engine and its manner of working, before he is told what is best to do and not to do. If he is forced on too fast he is likely to get mixed. The test questions at the end of Chapter III. will show how perfectly the preceding pages have been mastered, and the student is not ready to go on till he can answer all these questions readily.
The system of questions and answers has its uses and its limitations. The authors have tried to use that system where it would do most good, and employ the straight narrative discussion method where questions could not help and would only interrupt the progress of thought. Little technical matter has been introduced, and that only for practical purposes. The authors have had traction engines in mind for the most part, but the directions will apply equally well to any kind of steam engine.
The thanks of the publishers are due to the various traction engine and threshing machine manufacturers for cuts and information, and especially to the Threshermen�s Review for ideas contained in its �Farm Engine Economy,� to the J. I. Case Threshing Machine Co. for the use of copyrighted matter in their �The Science of Successful Threshing,� and to the manager of the Columbus Machine Co. for valuable personal information furnished the authors on gasoline engines and how to run them. The proof has been read and corrected by Mr. T. R. Butman, known in Chicago for 25 years as one of the leading experts on engines and boilers, especially boilers.