LECTURES AND ESSAYS READ AT INSTITUTES, 



241 



used and cared for iu the same way. The account will stand something like 

 this : 



1SG8 Mr. A. Dr. 



To mower and reaper $180 



" repairs, 12 years GO 



" Interest at 7 per ct., 12 yrs.. 151 



8391 



Cr. 



1868 Mr. B. Dr. 



To 1 machine 1180 



1874, To 1 machine 170 



Kepairs for 12 years 120 



Interest 222 



By 12 jears' use at 840 per year $480 

 " machine sold 40 



8520 

 391 



$129 



By 12 years use 



" machine (worthless). 



Balance 



$692 



Cr. 



8480 



$480 

 212 



8692 



Mr. A's care has saved him $129 + $212. 



Mr. B's carelessness has cost him that amount. 



I have, perhaps, taken an extreme case, for I desire to impress you with the 

 great loss to the individual farmer because of this lack of care of implements. 

 Surely such a commentary of facts ought to open our eyes to the truth, and 

 lead us to seek a better way. I desire to say in this connection that I believe 

 if farmers would make it a rule to have all implements brought in every night, 

 and put in their proper places, they would find it profitable. It may seem, at 

 first thought, too much work and little profit — a small thing, but how often 

 a plow, a harrow, a double shovel, a horse rake, or a corn cultivator may be 

 left at night with the expectation of using it the next day, but a storm comes, 

 and two, three, or more days often elapse before work is resumed. It has 

 been injured more by exposure than it wonld have been by use, and ib is rusty, 

 and it takes time and muscle to put the implement in good working order. I 

 repeat it is true economy to carefully shelter all farm implements, to keep 

 them well painted and in thorough repair. I must not forget in this connec- 

 tion to speak of the manner of some farmers in keeping their machinery in 

 some open shed — which serves the double purpose of a tool-house and a hen- 

 roost. Who that has seen implements covered with the droppings of the 

 feathered inhabitants of the barnyard until they resemble a bank of Peruvian 

 guano more than tools designed for the use of man, has not felt that while 

 such a union of interests might not be objectionable to the fowls and the tools, 

 it must at least be incompatible with the feelings of the workman who has to 

 use them, and inimical to the neatness and order that are so desirable in farm 

 surroundings. 



I should omit a very important part of farm economy if I failed to speak of 

 economy in buying and selling farm products. The farmer may plan wisely, 

 employ labor and time to good advantage in the growing and handling of his 

 crops and care of his stock, but unless he has the knowledge of sound business 

 principles, the wisdom and tact to use them successfully in the selling of his 

 products and the buying of his stores, he will lack an essential qualification 

 for his business. The farmer who puts his products in good shape, who 

 represents his goods fairly, who is ready to sell on a fair market at a reasonable 



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