1917] EURAL ECONOMICS. 889 



Rural index, H. L. Hollisteu (Chicago: >Uithor, 1917 ed., pp. [23], pi. 1, figs, 

 S). — This volume outlines a system for numberlug rural homes so that (hey 

 may be located as readily as city homes are by their street number. 



Pounds to bushels tables, E. D. Davis {Minneapolis, Minn.: Author, 1916, 

 pp. J/O). — Tables are given for reducing pounds to bushels for oats, barley, 

 buckwheat, shelled corn, ear corn, rye, flax seed, wheat, peas, beans, clover seed, 

 and potatoes. Instructions are also given for determining the value of a load 

 of grain, measuring the contents of bins, etc., measuring ear corn in a crib, 

 measuring coal in a shed, computing freight rates per bushel from freight rates 

 per Imndred, estimating the value of mixed feeds, and loading cars by measure- 

 ment. 



Marketing grain at country points, G. Livingston and K. B. Seeds {U. S. 

 Dept. Agr. Bvl. 558 (1917), pp. 44^ fiff^- 4)- — Among the conclusions brought out 

 by the autliors are the following: 



" Price and other factors being equal, farmers should patronize liouses re- 

 maining open throughout the entire year. 



" The producer of high-quality grain often receives less than it is worth in 

 order that an equal price may be paid to a grower of grain of inferior quality. 

 The farmer who delivers clean, dry, sound grain should receive a premium over 

 the price paid to his more careless competitor. Farmers who deliver grain of 

 inferior quality should be willing to submit to a discount. ... It is likely that 

 the standardization of grain produced in a community would not only result 

 in a reputation for uniform quality which at times may command a premium 

 over general market prices, but also reduce the cost of handling grain through 

 tlie local elevator. 



" While the ' scoop-shoveler ' is usually a disturbing element, often causing 

 loss to farmers and others having business relations with him. it is undoubtedly 

 true that he frequently acts as a restraining influence upon the country dealer. 



" Contracts with farmers for future delivery of grain should be entered into 

 only after the interests of both parties concerned are safeguarded by a written 

 contract clearly and concisely setting forth all the details of agreement. . . . 



*' When many elevators serve a community bad practices are usually intro- 

 duced into the business, which increase the cost of marketing the farmer's 

 grain and depreciate the value of all houses in the town and surrounding terri- 

 tory. Cooperative associations, as well as independent dealers, who desire to 

 enter the business should purchase existing plants if this is practicable rather 

 than build new ones. 



" Losses from shrinkage and ove^:grading are usually ignored by country 

 elevators. Managers should maintain a system of bookkeeping which shows 

 accurately these as well as all other expenses, and a study of the results ob- 

 tained should enable them to conduct their business in an economic and profit- 

 able manner. ... 



" When the organization of a cooperative-elevator association is contemplated, 

 careful consideration should be given to the needs of the community for addi- 

 tional marketing facilities. Usually it is unwise to place too much confidence 

 In the statements made by outsiders regarding the profits to be derived and the 

 cost of operating a country elevator. Farmers should investigate fully the busi- 

 ness circumstances which are to surround the new enterprise before afliliating 

 themselves with the proposed cooperative-elevator association." 



Farm labor [conditions in Canada] (Agr. Gaz. Canada, 4 (1917), No. 5, pp. 

 S87-393). — These pages contain a series of articles indicating the plans adopted 

 in a number of Provinces for the purpose of securing farm help necessary at the 

 various seasons of production. 



