29G IvEroKT OF Faemeks' Institutes 



many needed farm expenditures that ought to return a larger 

 interest yield than any other possible investment. We may re- 

 member, however, that funds locked up in these forms are not 

 quickly collectible. They do not constitute what bankers call 

 ^' liquid assets." This is only saying that in good farm manage- 

 ment it is wise, if possible, to have at least a working cash balance 

 large enough to provide for emergencies and to enable us to take 

 advantage of sudden or seasonal variations in the price of sup- 

 plies or feeding stuffs. It is wise also to invest in stabling and 

 buildings that are convenient, sanitaiy and at least creditable in 

 appearance; but most so called model bams cost altogether too 

 much per head of live stock accommodated, and in addition are 

 very frequently models of poor construction and unintelligent 

 planning. 



It is a favorite idea of mine that some day we shall replace 

 our permanent fences and field outlines with temporary woven 

 wire, which shall be hung on light, well sharpened posts and 

 moved about from year to year as convenience may require. There 

 is really no particular use of sticking to the outlines of a field be- 

 cause originally grandfather happened to fence it in that particu- 

 lar shape. There is a big oppoi'tunity to make over the layout of 

 most farms. 



Drainage, building and fertility must be bought, for they do 

 not belong to the class of things that may be hired ; they repre- 

 sent fixed and indispensable investments. This is not always true 

 of some implements. More and more I am coming to believe 

 that if a machine is to be used only two or three days during the 

 year and can then be hired at a reasonable price, it is rarely 

 economy to buy. Much of our machinery is outclassed in design, 

 although by no means worn out, after ten years. At home we 

 have owned our own silo filling outfit for twenty years. We 

 now hire our silo filled by the hour, and we shall not purchase 

 another rig. On most machines the interest on the original cost 

 plus depreciation will aggregate at least 15, and generally 20 

 per cent. 



The foregoing are some of the most evident factors in farm 

 management but there are many others. 



The questions connected with the hiring and handling of farm 

 labor are ever to the front. 



