6 MINOR ARTICLES OF FARM EQUIPMENT, 



reporting, and the same average for the whole number of farms. 

 The suggested number is the nearest whole number to the mean 

 found between the two averages. For example, the T-handled wood 

 auger is reported from 22 out of 33 farms, or 67 per cent. A total of 

 67 augers was found on these farms, or 3.04 for each farm reporting, 

 and 2.03 to the farm for the whole number. The mean is 2.54 and 

 the suggested number 3. With one or two exceptions no article is 

 included in column 3, however, which was not reported from at least 

 20 per cent of the farms and for which the average to the farm for the 

 whole number of farms was less than three-tenths. In this way con- 

 sideration was given to the fact that on some farms certain items are 

 not reported and that on farms which do re})ort the various items 

 there are undoubtedly cases in which fewer articles than those found 

 would be adequate. This last statement is certainly true, since in 

 many cases where several tools of a kind are kept, a part are old and 

 are retained simply for occasional use. The arbitrary basis given 

 was adopted because it was found to mark quite accurately the divid- 

 ing line between what was considered essential and wdiat nonessen- 

 tial by the owners of several well-equipped farms. Column 3 is not 

 necessarily a recommendation as to what will be urgently needed for 

 a farm of average size and type, but it is indicative of the number of 

 articles suggested by the inventory. By carefully considering the 

 needs of his farm the manager can cut down the list materially. The 

 oil cans, wrenches, eveners, etc., purchased with machines were 

 excluded wherever practicable from the inventories; hence, the sug- 

 gested number is less in many cases than the real total for such 

 items. 



In column 4, figures are given for the first cost of the various articles, 

 the price of all being included for reference, even though all of the 

 articles are not recommended for use. The price for the complete 

 article (for example, a tool with a handle) is given in most cases. 

 This price has been obtained \\herever possible from merchants 

 located in sections from which the inventories were taken. The 

 majority of hardware items were priced by one of the leading hard- 

 ware merchants of Wayne County, Ohio. Other prices were ob- 

 tained from Farmers' Bulletin 347. Still others were supplied by 

 various farmers who had purchased or matle similar items within a 

 few months of the date of inventory. These prices will, of course, 

 vary a great deal with the location of the purchaser and the quality 

 of the goods. Regarding the latter, however, the point was em- 

 phasizetl in obtaining prices that average figures were wanted for the 

 quality of goods usually purchased by farmers. These prices are 

 merely suggestive and can not ii\ all cases be relied upon, for the 

 reasons just mentioned. 



[Cir. 44] 



