The Family Earnings 147 



fairly accurately whether it would be better to 

 pay house -rent in town, work by the day or 

 month, as work presented itself, buy all food 

 supplies from the grocery, or whether it would be 

 better to remain on the farm. In this connection, 

 of course, it would have to be decided whether 

 to rent the farm, or to sell it and put the money 

 at interest. One could now approximate the cost 

 of living in town, the income from labor per- 

 formed for other people and the income from the 

 money loaned which formerly was invested in 

 safe realty. 



If accounts are kept on the farm as they should 

 be, it can further be determined whether the earn- 

 ings of the wage- workers of the family are enough 

 to maintain them and the remainder of the family 

 which do not contribute directly to the income; 

 or whether the profits of the farm and its equip- 

 ment — the invested capital — must be added 

 to the wage income in order to maintain and 

 educate the familj^ 



A CHAT WITH THE FAMILY 



In the "Fertility of the Land," the first pages 

 were devoted to a "Chat with the Young Farmer." 

 The author has decided that it is best to have his 

 present chat with the family somewhat privately, 

 in the. last pages, so that the family secrets will 



