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THIS paper represents an attempt to appraise the general automotive-fuel situation from the viewpoint of its relation to farm-tractor fuels. In particular, the probable effects of demands for fuels other than gasoline upon costs of production and distribution have been tied-in with engine operation and maintenance costs for the purpose of indicating the most logical course for fuel and engine development. In general, the farm-tractor fuel-problem is a very important one from the viewpoint of the tractor user, due to the fact that, as farm tractors are generally used, fuel is a major cost-item amounting to more than one-third of the total cost of operation of the tractor. In spite of the fact that many other considerations logically outweigh fuel costs in importance-particularly availability of the equipment and its capacity during the seasons of peak demand-this item continues to be one which is scutinized most carefully by the user and emphasized in tractor sales.

RECENT active interest in the use of commercial butane gas as a fuel for highway-transportation equipment, particularly on the Pacific Coast, indicated to Mr. Barnard the advisability of resurveying the field of possible substitutes for gasoline, especially as regards butane. Since rapid developments in the conversion of truck fleets to use butane as fuel took place in the West, Mr. Barnard considers the possibility of the general use of butane in this class of service. After going into detail regarding the chemical properties and performances of butane and gasoline, as well as their economic aspects, Mr. Barnard concludes that an attempt to supply butane under the conditions necessary for highway units eventually would result in a final cost to the operator-on a gallonage basis-higher than that prevailing for regular gasoline. He states that no very widespread use of butane as a fuel could occur without increasing the demand to a status at which the cost would be prohibitive.