THE BUSINESS OF FARMING 341 



establish the rotation that each field is to follow for several 

 years. Several rotations of crops are suggested in the chapter 

 on Systems of Cropping. Let each field on the map be 

 marked with the main crops it is to grow for several years, 

 as shown in the school map (Fig. 97). 



Dairy farms will be planned to produce plenty of green 

 and dry forage, as well as some root crops, grain, and corn. 

 During the long winter evenings a farmer and his family 

 should sketch the farm and plan the special crops for the 

 following season on each field. 



Exercise. — Mapping School Grounds. — Let the whole 

 class, or those who have the most time to spare from other 

 work, measure the school grounds and make maps of it on 

 large paper. Each line should be marked with the length 

 it represents on the ground. The scale on a map is always 

 given for a map in a geography. Let the scale for this map 

 be as large as the paper will accommodate. Try one inch 

 to four feet for a very small place, or one inch to 100 feet 

 for a large place. Figure 101 suggests a good plan for 

 school grounds with a school garden. 



Elements of Business Success. — Farmers should keep 

 records and accounts. This is one of the commonest reasons 

 for the great success of certain farmers as compared with 

 others who seem to farm by the same methods. The farmer 

 who keeps clear and simple accounts always knows his 

 business, and can stop the losses that occur. He should keep 

 records of all agreements with men and thus avoid many 

 disputes or law suits. Records regarding crops or stock will 

 help to bring about the best financial results. 



A memorandum book should be kept in which are written 

 the dates of the first killing frosts each fall; the dates of the 

 opening of fruit buds in spring; the dates of bad spring freezes; 

 the birth of all kinds of live stock; the dates when each field 

 is sown and harvested; and many other important events of 

 the year. 



