FARM FINANCE 121 



tures. In the first place, if the money be carried on 

 the person it may be easily lost. In the second place, 

 if it is hoarded in the house it is an attractive mark 

 for the burglar. Burglars do not " burgle " in the 

 dark, at least not usually. If they are the right sort 

 of burglars and know their business, they do not go 

 after a prize unless they know its magnitude and the 

 place where it is to be found. Hence it follows that if 

 the farmer keeps no money about his house, in so far 

 as that is concerned there is no attraction in that house 

 for the thief. For convenience, for systematic keeping 

 of the accounts, and for economy, it is well that the 

 farmer's money be kept in the bank. 



IS IT BENEFICIAL TO BE IN DEBT ? 



It often has been said that to be in debt is an in- 

 centive to greater exertion. Perhaps this may be true, 

 but it is a kind of incentive that should not be neces- 

 sary on the farm. The love of nature, the joy of out- 

 door life, the pleasure of producing something valuable, 

 the duty of providing food and clothing for the family, 

 and the science of taking care of the fields, ought to be 

 sufficient inducement to any farmer without being 

 driven by the sting of debt. It is true, in many cases 

 of negligence and unthriftiness, that the farmer who 

 receives money which should be applied upon a debt, 

 will not pay it, but will start a little banking account 

 of his own, put it in his pocket or spend it for some 

 pleasure or amusement. This is a most unfortunate 

 habit, however, and should not be encouraged. 



The small farmer at the best does not have a very 

 large capital invested. If his farm has cost him $7,500, 

 his implements and live stock and other permanent in- 

 vestments will bring the sum up to probably $10,000, 



