PART VIII. 



A HIGHER STANDARD FOR THE FARMER. 



(USINESS PRINCIPLES. Since all mankind depend for their sustenance, 

 either directly or indirectly, upon the products of the soil, it follows, as a natural 

 consequence, that a large proportion of the human race must ever be engaged in the 

 pursuit of agriculture; and since the producers must not only provide for the wants of their 

 own families, but for the non-producing population also, it will be found that the former will 

 generally exceed the latter in numbers among any nation. This is especially true in our own 

 country, where farming is the leading pursuit; yet, notwithstanding its great importance, 

 when compared with other occupations, there is probably no kind of business practiced where 

 so little system of keeping accurate accounts of debits and credits is followed as in that of the 

 farmer. In fact, we doubt whether, if an accurate report were made, there would be found 

 more than one farmer in ten who conducts the affairs of his farm on strictly business prin 

 ciples. Asa result, for the most part, in agricultural economy as thus conducted, there are 

 no definite means of knowing which crops are most remunerative, or which are at all profita 

 ble for raising, and instead of reliable data there is nothing except mere guess-work or 

 approximate estimate. The excuse generally made by farmers for this lack of system is that 

 keeping accurate accounts of debits and credits involves an expenditure of too much time and 

 labor, or that it is but of little importance, and does not pay for the trouble. Now, what 

 would be the result should the merchant, the manufacturer, or the banker conduct his 

 business in the same manner? It is quite as important to the farmer to know the financial 

 state of his affairs at all times, and the total amount of his receipts and expenditures for the 

 year, as for a man engaged in any other employment, and he can no more afford to lose the 

 benefit thus to be derived than can a merchant, manufacturer, or person engaged in any other 

 occupation. 



No business man whatever can carry on his trade or profession successfully, and have 

 an intelligent knowledge of its condition, without keeping books and a careful posting of 

 them in order to know the re.il condition of his affairs, and enable him to correct any errors 

 in his mode of procedure; and this is the only way in which the farmer can have at all times 

 a correct knowledge of his business. If no accounts whatever are kept of receipts and 

 expenditures, the farmer will not be able to tell whether he is making or losing money, which 

 are the most profitable crops, or what is the total amount of his possessions; without such an 

 account, also, many losses may be sustained which might otherwise have been prevented. 

 Besides, a record of dates, prices, etc., is a great convenience for reference, and many debts, 

 loans, and charges that might otherwise be forgotten are more promptly attended to, and the 

 farmer who is the most accurate in this respect is the most liable to be prompt in all his 

 business arrangements, as well as more likely to keep out of debt. Book-keeping may be 

 made very simple, and the small amount of time and labor required to keep the books in 

 order may be taken in the evening after the work for the day is over, or at some other time 

 from less important work. In order to keep an accurate account, all business matters should 

 be taken note of immediately at the time of transaction. This may be done by means of a 

 memorandum book or diary carried in the pocket, and a record copied in the day-book in the 

 evening, each day s account thus being kept up to date. The books necessary for keeping 

 farm accounts are a diary or journal, day-book, and ledger, or, as is sometimes done, the last 

 part of the day-book may be used for a ledger; but it would be found much more convenient 

 to have two separate books for this purpose. 



The Diary. In this book, which for farm use is generally of convenient size to be 

 carried in the pocket, a record of each day s transactions should be made, including the labor 

 performed, things purchased or sold, or other business, and all items of importance that it is 



(953) 



