36 MASSACHUSETTS AGEICULTURE. 



and that of his family "when actually employed on the farm or 

 about its business ; and this should include board, whether 

 paid for or received in the family. He should charge to the 

 ftirm the cost of necessary repairs to all implements, vehicles 

 and buildings that are used exclusively for farm-purposes, and 

 all expenditures for labor or material in making farm-im- 

 provements. On the other hand, the fai-m should be credited 

 for everything it produces at its sale-value, whether it be sold 

 or consumed by the farmer's family, for the support of all 

 animals kept for family use, and for all timber and fuel sold 

 or used. The account thus kept, and the inventory and ap- 

 praisal made the following spring, which must include the 

 value of all crops and manures on hand, the value of all farm- 

 improvements and wood gTown, will show the result as a 

 business operation, and the sum and per cent, of gain or loss. 

 It will be noticed that this inventory and account makes a 

 clear and distinct separation of the individual's business from 

 the support and maintenance of his family and his outside ex- 

 penditures. It is the only correct method, and is precisely 

 like that of an intelligent business-man engaged in mercantile 

 pursuits. The point is not how much money does the farmer 

 have left after he has expended all he wishes on the pleasure, 

 whim, fashionable desires or necessities of himself, his family 

 or friends, but does the business pay for the labor expended 

 and capital invested, and that such an account will show. 

 And it will show a great deal more ; for as it takes cognizance 

 of daily operations, it will exhibit the elements of success and 

 failure, bring prominently to view the leaks and wastes of the 

 business, change that which before was a simple surmise — a 

 guess — into a certainty, and enable the farmer to intelligently 

 change and direct his business movements, when necessary, 

 so that loss may be averted, and larger remuneration may be 

 received for his labor, and a higher j)er cent, for the capital 

 employed. 



