EEAL COST OF OPEKATION 221 



would reduce our taxes, and thus another item of 

 operating expense upon the farm would be re- 

 duced. Generally our roads are fairly well con- 

 structed, but in most instances, as soon as they are 

 constructed, but little if any intelligent attention is 

 paid to them. They soon become worn into ruts 

 and holes which gather water, that softens and will 

 wear out any road, and in a few short years they 

 are in as bad a condition as they were before they 

 were improved. An intelligent system of road 

 maintenance put in action upon our improved 

 highway immediately after it has been finished, 

 and maintained without cessation, will not only 

 keep our improved highway in perfect condition, 

 but will decrease by one-half or more the cost of 

 road maintenance and thus reduce our taxes. 



At no distant day the motor truck will be in 

 common use upon the farm, for it is being rapidly 

 improved in that direction, and cheapened so the 

 farmer can afford to use it. When the motor truck 

 is so perfected and reduced in price, it will be the 

 farmer's best, quickest and cheapest method of 

 transporting his products to market, for it will 

 mean the elimination of time and distance, and 

 thus market his products quickly, in the best con- 

 dition, and it will save and conserve the life of his 

 horses, and the shrinkage in weight of his live 

 stock in transit to market. And when the farm 

 tractor comes into general use, it will eliminate 

 many of his horses, with their expense of keep, 

 from the farm. Even to-day with the high priced 

 motor truck, many farmers are using them and are 

 greatly reducing the cost of farm operations. If 

 the motor truck is properly handled and cared for 



