INSTITUTE PAPERS. 'J'] 



be kept up by other than animal hfe on the farm, while I might 

 demur at this conckision yet accepting it for convenience would 

 rei^ly that our industry is subject to the great laws of econo- 

 mics. If production outruns consumption so far as to make it 

 unremunerative, persons enough must leave it until an equili- 

 brium of profit compared with other industries is reached. This 

 I am aware is treason from the usual point of view. It is, 

 however, in consonance with common sense and the great law 

 that governs industrial evolution and that is now governing 

 ours, in spite of several great opposing forces. The past ten 

 census years show a growth of 21 per cent in the population of 

 the nation, 15 per cent mcrease of arable area and but 4 per 

 cent of area in farms. It is well known the nation over, farm 

 population fails to keep up with other population. Farm prices 

 have increased in the last decade, according to Secretary Wil- 

 son, 54 per cent faster than the average of prices for other 

 commodities listed in arriving at price movements. By a great 

 law we are rapidly moving forward to a basis upon which we 

 can adjust our farm operations upon the proper financial basis, 

 that of fair profit for each operation. 



On the other hand, there are those that assume that the cow 

 should yield a profit on the foods used above those of the 

 market price. It may be desirable and pleasant to secure this 

 result. But it is clear that when the cow has paid for all costs 

 in every form that enter into her products she should become 

 our market for farm crops unless indeed it can be shown 

 that some other animal is a better market for them. 



What are the costs that enter into butter and milk produc- 

 tion ? I shall dwell upon them because I believe that the prob- 

 lem should be considered from a somewhat new and certainly- 

 more critical point of view. 



First, I want to press the point that the farmer should expect 

 a revenue from his business that gives him as complete living 

 in all its aspects as the age afifords other workers using the 

 same amount of capital, labor and professional skill. Space 

 forbids other than crisp dogmatic assertion. His business is the 

 most important to the race, he lives in greater isolation from 

 modern privileges of many kinds, his work is hard, his capital 

 is subject to more vicissitudes, while he now is facing the 

 necessity of professional skill of the very highest order. Society- 

 should pay him well. 



