SUMMARY, 53 



Figures 3 and 4 illustrate diagrammatically the various acre and 

 annual costs for different machines. Tlic heiglit of the points on 

 each curve indicates the number of machines with costs within the 

 range indicated by the figures on the base line. Of walking plows, 

 for instance, 8 cost between 2 and 4 cents per acre, 22 between 4 

 and 6 cents, and so on. The average cost for the group is 

 shown to be usually higher than those acre or annual costs which are 

 most frequent, owing to the influence of abnormally liigli costs. 

 Implements with annual costs widely separated from the others, as 1 

 manure spreader ^vitli an annual cost of $49.38 and 3 wagons costing 

 over Sll per year, are not considered. The curves show more clearly 

 tlian the average the cost of the greater number of machines, but the 

 average is valuable because of the consideration given to the most 

 and least as well as the normally expensive ones. 



Wliile the lack of numbers makes the data sus-o-estive rather than 

 conclusive, these figures present a fair basis for estimates of the 

 machineiy cost of producing crops. 



S"LnVIMARY. 



Proper organization, a prerequisite to successful farm manage- 

 ment, refers not only to the cropping system, live-stock management, 

 etc., but to the distribution of capital and the selection of equipment. 

 This study of a number of Ohio farms does not afford sufficient data 

 from which to draw general conclusions, but illustrates by concrete 

 example many of the factors to be taken into consideration in equip- 

 ping farms. Further study along the lines indicated should provide 

 data of great value to the farm manager. This outline of some of 

 the economic problems involved in the equipment of farms is pre- 

 sented as worthy of the attention of students of farm management 

 and of farm economics in general, 



212 



