LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. q5^.^- — Chap.. ._._... Copyright No.,., SheiL.jVV_^ 2 UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. Digitized by tine Internet Arcliive in 2010 witli funding from Tine Library of Congress littp://www.arGliive.org/details/farminginbusinesOOwliit "" 1 oia. J "HOWTO INCREASETHE FARM INCOME." f-^t^®"^^*:^^ BY I^,OXJ.A.Is^3D -wniTisrEY. ""''^'"ifflyiisuir ' HOW TO INCREASE THE FARM INCOME." 0\ ^ *-:5»*^©^^6^-•■ •••-^^®*^^r~" J. R. WHITNEY Sk CO., PUBLISHERS, BROADALBIN, N. Y. Copyrighted, 1896, Eoland Whitney. /^^A/ J. MASON BAEK, Book and Job Printer, BEOADALBm, N. Y. 3 (bOES THE FA(2M (?AY ? My friend, does your farm pay? Will all that you produce on your farm this year pay 6 per cent, inter- est on all money invested in your farm, stock, teams, etc ; pay lo per cent, interest on money invested in tools; pay insurance, taxes, hired help, necessary running expenses — and leave a fair salary for yourself; do you derive as large an income from your farm as you could wish, or as you could reasonably expect, when compared with what you could earn in some other pursuit, or what you know you could make above all ex- penses if the money you have in- vested in your farm was in- vested in some other line of business? No? Well, why not ? There must be something wrong, somewhere, l.et us look at this matter; let us see where we are at. FARMING AS AN INDUSTRY. Agriculture is the oldest industry of this country ; the one great indus- try that underlies all others, the one by which the progress of all other in- dustries is measured — an idustry that compares favorably with any other of 4 the gi'eat industries : manufacturing, mining, railroading and banking. Agriculture is the most natural, *'most healthful, most useful, most noble occupation of man," and, I be- lieve, the most profitable. At any rate, it is the only one that persons who have failed of success in all other pursuits can fall back upon and gain a livelihood — one that has more in- competent and iacapable persons en- gaged in than any other pursuit known to man. Yet, statistics show well for the farmer. Agriculture is moving ahead with rapid strides. WHERE WE ARE AT. According to the census of 1890, we have in the United States 4,564,- 641 farms, valued at 813,276,000,000; our live stock is valued at $2, 208,000,- 000; our farm implements and ma- chinery at $494,000,000. The aver- age size of our farms is 137 acres. For every one hundred families in the United States there are 37 farms, and 41 per cent, of our population live upon them. Only one-fourth the total number of our farms are mortgaged. The average mortgage represents one-third the value of the farm upon which it is secured . Four- fifths of the amount of debt on our farms was incurred to buy and im- 5 prove the property, and the total amount of farm mortgages is hardly one-tenth the total value of all our farms. Learning, enterprise and invention have greatly increased the productive power of the American farmer. With the aid of machines and im- proved appliances, one man can do as much work on the farm now as two men could fifty years ago. Rail- roads have practically annihilated distance, and our markets have spread out all over this continent and reached out to the countries of the old world. On the farm, brain in a great measure has taken the place of brawn, and we have the pure air, the birds, the flowers, the fields, the woods, about us. We can revel in the delights of a quiet, peaceful home, and more leisure time than most business men have. And, surely, considering all these things, we ought to be in our best estate ; we ought to be the most prosperous, most happy, most con- tented, most influential and best edu- cated citizens in the republic. But, are we all this? If we are not, there must be a fault somewhere, either within ourselves or beyond, our con- trol. What do you think about it my friend ; where does the fault lay? 6 Is it in our land? Is it in our mar- kets? Is it in legislation ; or is it in ourselves? Don't you think it is time we stopped to consider this mat- ter seriously ; to think about it in a common -sense way; to ask ourselves a few plain, business questions? THE FARM. First, what kind of soil have I got? What elements of plant food does it lack ? Do I supply these elements for the growing crop? Do I raise the crops that are best adapted to my soil? Do I practice a system of rotation that is least exhaustive to my soil? Do I replace the fertility, the store of plant food that I draw from every year? For this is my bank account. Do I keep my soil filled with or- ganic matter, to keep it porous and friable, so that it will hold moisture, resist drouth, and enable the tender roots of the young plants to get a firm foothold? Do I have something growing on my land all through the growing sea- son, to prevent loss of nitric acid and other valuable elements by leaching or drainage? Do I keep my fields smooth and trim ? 7 Do I plow a straight, cltan-cut fur- row, not too wide, and of equal depth — clear across my field? For good plowing is a great preventive of weed growth, a good resister of drouth, and the toundatfon of a good crop. Do I- discourage the growth of weeds and encourage the growth of crops by constant and thorough till- age? Do I save my crops from insect pests, from diseases, blights and fun- gus growths? Is my farm as pro- ductive as it might be? What big grass that was in the new seeded piece where that manure heap lay all winter before I broke it up for corn (?) Do I raise one-half as much hay, grain, fruit, vegetables and forage crops on my farm as I might— are they of as good quality as they should be ? After I have worked hard to grow my crops, am I careful to secure them in good condition and save and make use of every part of them ? MY COWS. Do I keep my cows in winter in the north end of my barn, in a stable that is plentifully supplied with air holes? Are my cows compelled to wade through the snow and drink ice water from a distant brook : or are they kept in a warm, sunny stable in 8 the south side of my barn, and pro- vided with water the temperature of which is above the freezing point "? Do my cows eat a ' 'balanced ration" (a ration so balanced that it can be grown on my farm)? Are they the kind that have the faculty of ti^rning a good portion of that "balanced ra- tion" into butter fat ; do I make one- half the butter I might from my number of covvs ; do I know how to make gilt-edged butter ; do I get two- thirds the price per pound that is paid for a gilt-edged product MY HOGS. Do I keep my pigs growing fast as possible from the time they are weaned until they are -slaughtered ; are they the kind that will make the most pork on a given amount of feed and in the shortest time? MY SHEEP. Do my sheep get plenty to eat and pure water to drink ; are they good mothers; are they the best breed for finely marbled mutton, early growth, large lambs and high grade wool ; do I derive one-half the profit I ought from my number of sheep? MY FOWLS. Are my fowls well fed and com- fortably housed ; are they well form.ed and of good size ; do they have a 9 bright, yellovv^ skin that makes an at- tractive appearance and commands the highest price in market; are my chicks taken from the hen soon as hatched, given a little extra care for the iirst few days, then placed with others, confined with the aid of a few old boards, amd raised, fifty or more in a single batch, with less loss and no more time and trouble than is re- quired to look after one old hen with half a dozen, while the mother hen goes back into the egg business? MY HORSES AND FARM ANIMALS. Are my horses properly cared for? Are they well-formed, easy keepers and fast walkers? Do I understand the feeding, care and management of all my farm ani- mals; do they have sleek, glossy coats, that mild expression of eye, that air of contentment, that is a standard of excellence ; do I feed them at a profit, or do I feed them at a loss? Do I sell only that part of my crops that can be sold at a profit, and turn the balance into choice meat, butter and eggs,^hat can be sold at a profit, and leave the manure to go back on my land? MY MANURE. Am I careful to save and utilize lO every atom of plant food made on my farm? Ah ! That reminds me of the manure heap that is leaching away in my barn5'"ard ; of the many dollars' worth of plant food that is being lost right here under my nose. I will have to provide a place for it under cover, and fork it over occasionally or haul it to the field fast as made, and, too, in my stables, I am losing a greater part of the liquid, the rich- est portion of my manure. I will have to chink the cracks in my stable floors and provide an abundance of straw and chaff ; or go into the woods and gather a big supply of leaves — Nature's own fertilizer — to absorb this, the richest part of my manure, or provide water-tight gutters to catch it in a liquid fotm. I will have to save all my wood ashes, poultry droppings, chip manure, dead dogs, cats and other unfortunate farm ani- mals . I will have to provide a heap of muck or rich dirt in a convenient place to run a drain from the house and absorb all the slops from the kitchen, cess-pool, etc., that would otherwise be a v/aste and a nuisance. In fact, I will have to study to save and utilize every atom of plant food within my reach on the farm, for concentrated plant foods purchased 1 1 in bags or barrels come high, and I don't like to use them except to sup- ply plant food that cannot otherv/ise be obtained, and where experiments show they can be used at a profit . But well fed plants m.ean big crops of best quality that in turn miean v\ ell fed stock and choice products, and this m.eans a well filled pocketbook and many comforts. rvlY S¥iARKET. To raise good crops and choice pro- ducts, however, is not all that is re- quired. To make a success of farm- ing, one must know something of business methods. He nmst keep posted on crop conditions, on prices, on the varying conditions and re- quirements of his market; he mtist be a good judge of his own products ; he must know how to grade themx properly, how to prepare them for market in the best and most attract- ive manner, how to place them on the market at the right time and in the best shape, and, when he has done all this, he must insist on receiving the highest market price for his grade^of produce. HOW CAiS! I LEARN THIS? Did I ever go to town early in the morning, when retail dealers are least busv, and talk with them about 12 the market and the outlook for vari- ous crops and farm products; did I closely observe the different products and the different grades of the same product, and learn what prices were paid ; did I learn their opinion in re- gard to grading and the best manner to put up such products as I had for sale so as to attract the attention, gratify the taste, and please the fancy of their customers and bringthe high- est price? Did it occur to me that the wants of the dealer were identi- cal with the tastes of their customers, and when they purchased produce m.ore attractive than the ordinary it found a ready sale at an advanced price ? Did I ever study to arrange my produce in a more attractive manner even than my dealers suggested ? Did I gain permission to look at their books, to read the records of their business for several years back, and learn what products are in most demand and at what time of year they bring highest prices ; what pro- ducts have a spasmodic sale, and what are staple ; at what time of year one product crowds out another; at what time new products crowd out the old ; what changes are constantly taking place, and much other valuable in- 13 formation that would otherwise take years of experience and close obser- vation to gain? Was I somewhat surprised at a few things I learned from their books ; did I gain a few points and ideas to work out in the winter at my leisure and apply to my conditions, to improve my methods and add to my income? How AND TO Whom do I Sell My Produce? Am I so fortunate as to live near enough town to have private custom- ers for nearly all of my produce ; do I realize that a cheerful, civil and po- lite manner is the best capital ever invested in business, and all power- ful in obtaining and retaining cus- tomers ; do I have a good class of customers who want a good class of produce and are able and willing to pay for it ; do I realize that city peo- ple are unaccustomed to the smell of the barn and that such odors are dis- agreeable to their acute sense, and that neatness is essential to their good graces; do I aim to supply their wants, gratify their tastes and please their fancies ; do I take my produce to them in neat, clean, attractive packages and good measure ; am I ready and willing at all times to rec- tify any mistake or oversight on my part ; do I study their peculiarities H and grade my produce according to the taste of my separate customers and their financial ability to gratify- that taste ; do I insist on receiving the highest retail price for each sepa- rate grade of my produce; did I ever make the foolish mistake of offering: to undersell the retail dealers, think- ing that by so doing I would gain custom, but only succeeded in making my customers think that miy produce was of inferior quality, or that there was something" wronor with it? Do I prefer to sell to the retail dealers ; do I grade my produce pro- perly, and take it to them in ckan, attractive packages, at a time of day when they can best use it; unless o'^e dealer can use all of my produce .o good advantage, both first and second qualit}^, then do I sell my first quality to a man w^ho can use that and my second qtiality to a man who can best use that; and do I realize that if I sell my dealer produce that is not exactly what it is represented to be, if I try to work off a poor quality for first price, that even if the dealer does not discover the cheat himself, that his customers will, and will make com- plaint to him and that ever afterward he will be very cautious about buying of me, if he buys of me at all? Do I live so far from those who consume my produce that it is neces- sary for me to .sell to a local dealer, who ships it to a distant cit)^ to whole- sale dealers or jobbers, who sell it to the retail dealers, who, in turn, sell to the consumer, and thus take three, perhaps four, profits between me and the consumer of my produce? Can I not, by raising enough of one or more products to make it worth while for me to look up a market for myself, and worth while for some of those '*city chaps" to deal with me and by studying the peculiarities and requirements of that market, by find- ing honest men of gof^d financial standing to deal with, by learning how to pack my produce so that it will not be injured by shipping, bv properl}^ grading mv produce and selling it for just what it is. and thus work lip a trade for myself and head off two or three of those profits and pnt them in ray own pocket to increase my income and better m}^ condition? What About Legislation. (7an legislation advance my views and improve my methods without my consent and co-operation; can legisla- tion enrich my farm, increase the 'Vield of my crops, improve their qual- ity, and market them to the best ad- i6 vantage ; can legislation stock my farm with the kind of anim.als that are most profitable for me to keep, feed them properly, and house them in warm stables so as to return the greatest profit ; can legislation com- pel the people to purchase inferior produce so long as they can procure first quality? But, are there not a fevv^ things legislation can do that would benefit all people asAvell as the farmer? In my estimation, what are they? HOW ABOUT MYSELF? Am I farming because I like farm- ing as an occupation, and as a means of gaining a livelihood, or am I farm- ing because I happen to be; because I know of nothing better to do at present? Am I intending to sell out the first opportunity I have and goto some other country, or go into some other business, and thus kept contin- ually in an unsettled state of mind, with no definite or well laid plans, with very little interest in my busi- ness, with very little desire to im- prove my methods or to better my condition where I am; with very lit- tle heart or interest in my farm, my crops, my stock, my work, my home or my neighbors? Do I know that I can do better elsewhere or in some 1/ other business; do I realize that wherever I am or whatever I do, labor is one of the conditions of my existence? Do I know just what I want, any- way? Had I not better find out for certain before I make a m.ove that may result in loss, or sorrow, or both ? Am I Content on My Farm? Do I intend to stay where I am and improve my farm and my condition on the farm; perhaps to pay my debts, to g-ain an independence, to lead the life of a useful and intelli- g-ent citizen? Do I realize that farming is not what it used to be ; that great changes are constantly taking place all along the line, and, too, that the farms our fathers and grandfathers tilled are not so productive as they were then ; that it is becoming necessary, and more especially in the older states, to supply to the soil a good part of the plant food that is needed by the grow- ing crop, and that there is a general narrowing of profit margins in all lines of ao;riculture as in the various branches of all other industries ; do I realize that my farm is much like a factory, a place where crude raAv ma- terials are converted into a finished product for consumption by the peo- i8 pie, and that my success depends upon the prudence and econoni}^ with Avhich I manpvge my factory, the use I make of its machinery, and the quality and quantity of the products I turn out, and the time and manner in which I place those products on the market? Do I realize that in whatever in- dustry persons engage, those who do the brain work, the thinking and planning, are far better paid than those who do the physical labor; do I realize that to be a successful farmer requires intelligent thought and study, close observation and foresight, also energy, enterprise, economy and in- dustry ; do I realize that all these in- dividual qualities and requirements can be cultivated to a high degree ? Do I, like those who have achieved success in other industries, go to the bottom of my business and gain a thorough knowledge of all its per- plexities, of the practical working of all its minute details, from the foun- dation up ; and then, do I study to improve the quality and increase quantity of my products, to lessen the cost of production and to sell my pro- duce to the very best advantage? Do I know what especial line of 19 farming I am most capable of follow- ing? Do I know what especial line of production my farm and location is best adapted to? Do I study the nature of m}-^ soil, its texture, its natural sources of plant food, the chemical changes that take place in rendering its store of plant food available to the growing crop ; do I understand the valuable aid given this chemical action by proper drainage, and by thorough, system- atic culture? Do I study to raise a few of the most profitable crops? Do I understand the composition and especial characters of the crops I cultivate; do I study to improve the quality of those crops? Do I keep the most profitable farm animals, those best suited to turn to account the unsalable portions of the particular crops I cultivate? Do I understand the relation -of food to animal requirements ; do I strive. to improve the quality of their products ? Do I realize that the tastes of ^the people are rapidly becoming educated to a higher standard, that the m.arket of today does not wantmjore produce, but better? 20 Do I realize that in view of quick communication, of rapid and cheap transportation, I am placing my pro- ducts on the market in direct compe- tition with the products of many thousand enterprising, progressive farmers who are st^fiving to pay their debts, to gain an independence, and to rival their neighbors in beautify- ing their homes, in dress, and in fine equipage; and that if I would find a ready market at remunerative prices, I must have choice products ; I must cater to the tastes and fancie.^ of those who consume my produce? Did it ever occur to me to advertise my business in a small way ; to name my farm and brand that name on every package of choice produce, and let that brand gain a reputation as a standard of excellence? Do I keep my business constantly in mind ; am I always alert in the ac- quisition of knowledge relating to my business? This may be gained by attending farmers' institutes and other meetings devoted to the inter- ests of the farmer ; by conversation with experienced and successful farm- ers and dealers ; by the attentive reading of reports, bulletins, books and papers relating to my business; by carefully conducted experiments 2 I and close observation on my own farm; by keeping well informed on the condition and requirements of my market; by getting a clear concep- tion of what I should know and by using my own common-sense, pure and simple in sifting out that which will be of practical use to me. Do I make the very best use of my time, my talents, and my faculties? Do I know exactly what I possess and how to m^ake the very best use of my possessions; am I careful to em- ploy only steady, industrious, intelli- gent, efficient help; am I systematic in all my operations ; is my business done by rule; do I have a "place for everything and keep everything in its proper place"; do I know each night before retiring exactly what has been accomplished during the day; do I have all the little details of to-morrow's operations plainly mapped out in my mind's eye, that I may get at them on the morrow with- out delay; do I undertake only so much as can be done thoroughly; do I do one thing at a time and do it promptty and well; do I properly at- tend to all the little details of my business; do I ever "put off until to- morrow^ what can be done to-day;" are my tools kept under cover when 22 not in actual use; is that break in the fence, that loosened board on the barn, mended soon as discovered? What Does My Produce Cost? Do I know to a cent v/hat each crop and product costs me; do I know whether I am producing them at a profit or at a loss; can I expect to in- crease my 'income without an exact knoAvledge of what I am doing? Could a m.anufacturer remain long in business if he did not know to the fraction of a cent what it cost him to manufacture his goods; and if, as is often the case, he finds that other manufacturers, better located than himself, can manufacture the same line of goods and sell them at a profit for less than he can produce them, he is then obliged to study to econo- mize in every detail of his business and practice ever}^ possible means of lessening the cost of production, and if he cannot then compete with other manufacturers he must give up the manufacture of that particular line of goods and turn his attention to some line for which his location is better adapted. When a farmer goes to town to purchase any article whatever, the dealer knows exactly what that arti- cle has cost him, and only in extreme cases Y/ill lie sell an article unless he can make a profit, preferring to keep the goods to selling at a loss, or even at cost. This is business. It is the way he makes a living and gains an independence . But, on the other hand, when the farmer takes his produce to market he is obliged to accept the market price, which is often very unsatisfac- tory, but the farmer can make no ar- gument in self defense for he does not know what his produce has cost, or whether he is selling it at a profit or at a loss. The purchaser, there- fore, compares the quality of his pro- duce with the quality and price of the same class of produce already on the market, and if the fanner is a good judge of his own produce and well posted on the market he will receive the regular market price for his goods, but if he is not, it is more than likely that the purchaser will take advan- tage of his ignorance, his lack of bus- iness sagacity, and pay him the small- est possible price and thus increase his own profits. But, however, until people learn to live without eating, there will be an enormous demand for the farmer's produce. And if all farmers knew to a penny what each of their separate 24 products cost it would have a strong tendency to increase the price of farm products. All farmers would, be ex- tremely loth to sell their produce for less than cost when they could see the exact difference between cost of production and selling price, and each farmer would soon fall into the line of farming best adapted to his farm and location. He would study to im- prove the quality of his separate pro- ducts and give more thought and at- tention to the sale of his produce, and the novv violent fluctuations in our markets would soon become bet- ter adjusted to the law of supply and demand. How TO Keep Farm Accounts. Do I keep farm accounts? If I do not, I will begin at once, and if I know of no better way I will procure an ordinary blank book. It need not cost more than 2 5 cents. I vv^ill begin on the first left hand page and write the heading, "WHEAT," or what- ever crop I begin with, in large let- ters. Then, at the top of the columns ruled for dollars and cents, I will write the word "cost." I will then mention the number of acres to be devoted to this crop and write in the dollars and cents column the amount of interest and taxes to be charged to this number of acres. Then will follow: Cost of plowing, of hurrow- ing, the whole cost of manure, if purchased, or the cost of hauling to the field if made by the farm animals, value of seed cost of sowing, har- vesting, threshing, hauling to mar- ket, etc. Every item of tim.e and money expended on this crop will be recorded on this page. " On the op- posite, or right-hand page, I will write the heading, "WHEAT," and at the top of dollars and cents column the word "produced." On this page at the time of threshing I will record the yield of grain and the es- timate yield of straw. Then will fol- low : All sales and the price received, also the market value, less the cost of hauling to market, of all that is fed to farm animals or used in the f imiiy. I Avill keep in the same man- ner an account with each separate crop grown on my farm. On the cost page of the account with my cows, I vv^ill write: First, the number of cows I have and their estima,te valne, or the amount for which I would be willing to sell them. Then will folknv, the actual cost at my barn of all purchasecl foods, the market value of all grain or other foods grovs^n on the farm, the value 26 of the estimate quantity of all hay, straw or fodder, fed or used as bed- ding, less the cost of hauling to mar- ket, interest and taxes on land used for pasture, service fees, labor, etc. And, to estimate the cost of labor, for example : I have four cows, and it takes 2 hrs, each day to feed, water, clean stables, milk, strain and skim the milk, and wash the utensils used. 1 churn every other day, and it takes 2 hrs. each time to churn, wash, v/ork and pack the butter, wash the churn, butter worker, etc. I will keep a lit- tle track of this so as to be accurate about it, and at the end of a week I will reckon it up this wise : Careing for cows, etc., 7 ds., 2 hrs. a day, 14 hrs ; churning 3 times, 2 hrs. each time, 6 hrs ; 14 plus 6 equals 20 hrs. ; and on cost side of cow account I will write, to labor, 2ohrs. @ i2j/^c., $2.50. I will not forget this part of the ac- count, even if my wife does perform the greater share of it. I can also make an estimate of a week's feed in the same way. On the ''produced" side of this account I will keep a record of all milk and butter, whether sold or used in the family; skimmed milk and butter- milk will also appear on this page at about 2c. a gallon, and likewise, will 27 be placed on the cost side of the ac- counts with calves, pigs, hens, or whatever it is fed to. All sales of calves, or if they are to be raised on the farm, their value when taken from the cow, when they will enter an account by themselves. And if cows are sold, the price received will be written on produced side ; if cows are bought, their cost will be written on cost side of the cow account, etc. I will keep in the same manner an account with each separate class of farm animals, except the teams used on the farm, and whatever a crop or animal costs, in time and money, will be recorded on cost side of their separate accounts. Whatever a crop or animal produces, either money or products, will be recorded on the pro- duced side of their separate accounts. Beside these accounts I will keep an account with the whole farm. On the cost side of farm account I will keep a record of all expenses incurred in a general way to run the farm, such as feed and care of teams, shoe- ing horses, mending harness, repair of tools and fences, small repairs on buildings, expense of keeping the farm in order, the expense incurred in looking up a market for the farm products, interest and taxes on waste 28 land, and all expenses of the farm that would not come under the head of some particular crop or class of stock. At the end of the year, or before I begin spring work, I will close up my books. I will begin v/ith the first account in the book and add tip all the items on cost side. If the crop has not all been sold or fed tip and its value recorded, I will then esti- mate the value of what is left and write it on the produced side of this account and add up this side of the account, and if it is PTeater than the cost side I will write this difference, which will show a profit, on produced side of farm account, but, if cost side is greater than produced side I will write the difference, which will show a loss, on cost side of farm account. I will close up the account with each crop in the same way. Before closing up cow account, I will v/rite their present value on the produced side of their account and then bring the profit or loss into farm account, same as Avith the crops. The account with each class <>f stock will be closed up in the same way. When the separate accounts have all been broUQfht into farm account, I will close this up also; and if the 29 cost side is greatest it will show the loss of the whole farm and how much . If produced side is greatest, it will show the profit and how much. No account of the value of manure made by farm animals will be kept, as it would be difficult to estimate and would make the. accounts m.uch more complicated. I v/ill let that stand to balance the fertility drawn from to produce my crops. Although this will not be a complete record of all my transactions, it will be sufficient to show what each crop and class of stock has cost and what produced ; it will show what crops or class of stock has been grown or kept at a profit, and what at a loss, and will show the profit or loss of the farm taken as a whole, and is all that one unfamiliar with the principles and practice of book-keeping can work out in detail and not become mixed up, and thus render the accounts unreliable and useless. The va.lueof the-se accounts, however, will depend upon their ac- curacy, and each item of each sepa- rate accounl must be recorded while it is still fresh in my mind. If T am persistent, prompt and thorough in keeping these accounts, I shall soon find all the leaks on my farm, I shall soon learn what particular lines are 30 most profitable and be enabled to spend my time to better advantage and thus increase my income. Economy. Do I study to economize in all the details of my business ? Before I buy a thing do I know just what I want and what use I shall make of it ? Am I a good judge of what I need to pur- chase? Do I realize that true econ- omy consists in spending only to pro- duce? For instance: I^have a small farm and grow on an average 12 acres of grain each year. I think it would pay me to buy a reaper. I therefore purchase a first-class, self- rake reaper for $65. Now the inter- est on that $65 at 6 per cent, amounts to $3.90 a year. I will suppose that with extra good care that reaper will last me fifteen years, which greatly exceeds the life of a reaper on the average farm. It will take $4 33)^ a year to pay for that reaper in fiteen years ; it will cost at least one dollar a year for oil and repairs, and it is worth two dollars a year to store it, and more if it has to be taken apart. It would take a man and team about a day to cut my 12 acres of grain ; I pay the man $1.50 a day, but make no charge for the team, and the cost 31 of cutting my grain will figure up this-wise : Interest on $65 at 6 per cent., $3.90 Wear and tear, - 4.33 Oil and repairs, - 1. 00 Cost of storage, 2 00 One day's labor, - 1.50 Total cost, ' S12.7S Or a cost of one dollar and six cents an acre for each of the 15 years. Now 1 can hire my grain reapt for 50c. an acre, and, consequently, I am pay- ing $6.73 a year for the satisfaction of owning a reaper. On the other hand I have in my barn : 8 tons clover hay containing nitrogen 300ft) 4 " common " " " 120 2 " oat straw" " " 20 100 bush, oats " " 60 100 " corn " " 90 Total nitrogen, 590ft This is to be fed to the animals I keep on my farm, and for every 10c lbs. of nitrogen consumed in these foods 2o lbs. will be voided in the solid excrement and 70 lbs. in the liquid excrement, or a total of 53 i lbs. of nitrogen from these foods. Now, nitrogen is one of the most necessary and the most expensive element oi 32 plant-foocL When purchased, it costs i6c. per lb. W'hen manure is exposed to the weather the nitrogen is readily washed out of it, therefore, when I throw my manure out under the eaves of my barn, and when the winter snows that have made a good portion of the bulk of my manure heap have melted away, at a very loAV estimate one-half, or 265 lbs., of this nitrogen has gone with them, and 265 lbs. of nitrogen at i6c. per lb. is worth ^42.40. Now, I will in- vest that S65 in putting up a shedm Avhich to house my m.anure. This can be done by setting posLS in the ground and covering them with rough boards. vSuch a .shed would last 15 years with very little repairs, and my investment '^would figure up this-wise. (Of course, there would be some loss from other elements, but we will figure only on the nitro- gen:) Interest on I65 at 6 per cent., ^3.90 Wear and tear, - 4.33 Repairs, - - i.oo Extra time to put manure under shed, 15 min. a dayfor 200 ds., or 5 ds. at Si .50, - 7.50 Total cost, - $16.73 33 By this investment I will add $42.40 worth of plant-food to my soil at a cost of $16.73. This will im- prove the quality and increase the yield of my crops with no more work except in harvesting. It will also in- crease the fertility and add to the value of my farm. Uo 1 figure in this way on all mat- ters pertaining to m.y business? Dc I study to spend only to produce? A Business Comparison. Do I think I know all there is tc know about farming? Is there not a strong probability that I am very much mistaken? A man might look at a mowing machine and know it was a mowing machine ; he might also know how to keep the knives sharp, how to keep it oiled and in good running order; he might be able to do efficient work with it and, when compared with other machines, he might know that it was an extra good one, and on knowing this he might think he knew all there wis tc know about mowing machines. But would he? It might be^ all that was necessary for the user (the consumer^ of a mowing machine to know, but until he knew how the crude iron was first formed in the earth, where it was found most abundantly, how 34 it is mined, the process of smelting, how it is freed from foreign sub- stances and converted into raw pig iron, how to treat this pig iron to give it different degrees of hardness, of toughness, and elasticity; until he was familiar with the especial use of each separate part of a mowing ma- chine, its mechanical construction, arrangement and adjustment, the proper degree of hardness, toughness or elasticity each separate part should possess, the care of the various tools and machines used in its construc- tion, and how to use them to fashion each separate part, how to put it all together, how to test it, how to finish it, how to sell it, how to ship it, how to keep it in running order, and how to do efficient work with it ; until he was familiar with the practical work- ing of the many details of each sepa- rate process of production, construc- tion, sale and use, he would not know all there was to know about a mow- ing machine. It would require years of patient toil, of persistent effort and close ap- plication to learn all this, but if he was to engage successfully in the manufacture of mowing machines this knowledge would be essential. Nor could he stop here, but, in order 35 to meet competition in the sale of his machines, he would be obliged to study the v/ants and the requirements of the farmer, their likes and preju- dices ; he would be obliged to render himself familiar with every part of every competing machine manufac- tured ; he would be compelled to study the faults and defects of his own machine, and constantly change and improve it to meet new require- ments ; he would be compelled to stud}^ to economize in every detail of his business, and practice every pos- sible means of reducing the cost of production and sale of his machines; he would be obliged to keep him.self and his business constantly before the farmer, the consumer of his pro- duct, and last, but in nowise least, employ a host of silver-tongued ora- tors. Is my farm so very much unlike the business of a manufacturing es- tablishment, except the difference in magnitude, the difference in the amount of capital invested, and the different kind of products that are turned out? How long could the business of a single manufacturing industry of this country be continued if conducted in the manner that the average farmer 36 conducts his business ; how long- be- fore the owners would be bankrupt? How many farmers are there who would be capable of successfully oper- ating a single large manufacturing establishment without first spending years in preparation ? Would not a thorough knowledge of my business be of correspondingly as much profit to me as to the manu- facturer? Should I know less of the details of my business, or consider them of less importance; should my business be conducted less economi- cally, or in a more loose and slip-shod manner ; should I be less thoughtful, less thorough, less earnest in my business ; should I be less progress- ive, less enterprising, less energetic, than other producers? Does not my success as a farmer, like the success of those engaged in other pursuits, depend upon myself; upon my individual effort and skill; upon the knowledge I have of my farm, my crops, my farm animals and their products ; upon the quality and quantity of my produce and my tact and ability in disposing of it? Is there any quicker or surer way for me to increase my income than by first finding out exactly what I have got and how I stand with the world 37 financially by paying close attention to all the little details of my business, by stopping all the leaks on my farm, by gaining a thorough knowledge of all branches of my business, by gain- ing a reputation for honesty, punc- tuality, politeness, and choice pro- duce, and then by extending my business? Can I expect to do this in one day, or in one year? But will not close application, patient, persist- ent study and well directed effort surely bring its reward? Can I learn in a natural lifetime more than a very small part of all there is to learn con- cerning my farm and my business that would be highly profitable for me to know? Is there a broader field for thought and study, for practical and profitable improvement, than on the farm? Is there a place where we can lead more happy, more health- ful, more useful lives? Is there a place where we can find more keen and lasting enjoyment? Here is work for the student, for the philosopher, for the businessman, for the laborer. Here is produced food for the nation. Here is a mighty industry, a work of great magnitude and importance, and the vast improvements that have been made in all branches of this gi- gantic industry in the past fifty years 38 will be insignificant when compared with the improvements that will have been made in the fifty ydars to come. We have only just begun to learn. C^==^^^^^:,^i:^^ THE BUSINESS MAN'S COMMERCIAL LAW ANDD BUSINESS FORMS COMBINED. Edited by the late Hon. George W. Clin-. ton, Chief Judge Superior Court, Buf-- falo, N. Y. A new work, the best aid to business ed-- ucation, and the best reference book fori' business men ever published. It treats off Contracts, Negotiable Paper, Sales of Per- sonal Property, Warranty, Guaranty, Lien,, Shipping, Common Carrier, Stoppage ini Transitu, Personal Services, Copyright,, Agency, Partnership, Bailments, Insurance, , etc. It is full of useful matter relating to ■ everyday business; a purely practical work, entirely free from legal technicalities. Itl is the first and only work ever pubhshed ini which business forms are brought in as 3 illustrations of the principles and practice of law. The publication of this model text book^ has given a great impetus to the study off one of the most essential branches of ai sound business education. Everybody likes the book because it is so plain and so easily understood. It is ai standard authority on the law and business forms, and it will prove a valuable reference: book for all farmers. Contains 262 pages, size 6x9 inches, withi stamped sides. Price, postpaid, $2.00. Our catalogue of over one hundred Agri- cultural, Horticultural and business books; for farmers, gardeners and fruit growlers} wdll be sent, free to anyone on application. Address, J. E. WHItNEY & Co., Publishers and Booksellers, Broadalbin, N. Y. LIBRARY OF CONGRESS DDD577'^734'^