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A ^i"ARTIi.IE PR OGRAM FOR FARI-ffiRS 



The first and most important job of farmers is to produce as much 

 food as possible. The production of food is as important as the production 

 of planes, guns and other war equipment. 



In order to produce the greatest amount of food it is necessary for 

 every farmer to develop and maintain an efficient farm business. Costs of 

 production have increased substantially partly because of higher prices and 

 partly because larger inventories of feed and supplies must be maintained in 

 order to avoid delay at critical periods. Conditions are favorable now for 

 enlarging a small farm business to an efficient size if labor is available 

 and the increase can be financed safely. It is unv;ise to borrow money to 

 enlarge farms beyond a size necessary for reasonable efficiency. 



The second job of farmers is to get their debts in shape by reducing 

 them to a safe basis. This is good for both the farmer and the Nation. In- 

 come paid for debts does not compete for goods and equipment and therefore 

 does not contribute to inflation. 



The third job of farmers is to invest in VJ'ar Bonds to help the Nation 

 and to build financial reserves. Many farmers even if they are heavily in 

 debt v;ill want to buy some V^'ar Bonds because they feel that they v;ould be 

 giving direct financial aid to their country. However, in order that they 

 may continue to produce food, farmers who are heavily in debt should use the 

 greater part of any increased income to reduce their debts to a conservative 

 basis so that they can stand lower prices and any adversity which nay come. 

 Farmers viho are out of debt can invest at once all of their available income 

 above operating and living expenses in V/ar Bonds. 



Farmers v;ho have xaoderate debts or v/ho have reduced their financial 

 obligations to a safe basis should invest in Y/ar Bonds to the limit of their 

 available net incomes. Unnecessary expenses should be postponed until after 

 the war has been v/on. 



During this war period the production of farm machinery, household 

 equipment and many other supplies v/ill be greatly reduced because of the 

 increased need of steel and other material for war purposes. A part of the 

 money v;hich farmers receive for their products pays for the wearing out of 

 all types of farm equipment. This money v;ould automatically be used to re- 

 place automobiles and farm equipment or to repair buildings and fences in 

 peacetime. Such money should now be Invested in Vv'ar Bonds as a depreciation 

 reserve v/hich will be available for replacement after the v/ar. By investing 

 the cost of the desired equipment or improvements in 1/ar Bonds, it v;ill be 

 possible to purchase them later when they are again available. 



After debts have been reduced to a safe basis, it is safer and better 

 for most farmers to build an adequate financial reserve through investment inj 

 \Tar Bonds than to apply all available income on debts. If all income is ap- 

 plied on debts it will probably be necessary to borrow again in order to buy 

 farm machinery or other equipment v/hen it again becomes available. 



