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A considerable part of the operating costs can be determined before building. 

 Of these the question of amount of insulation versus size of refrigerating 

 nachinery enters strongly. Y/hen insulation materials are rather high in cost it 

 may be cheaper to use less of these and install a larger cooling unit. The 

 reverse holds true at other times. Running costs of the larger unit are seldom 

 too important, Vihich to choose, because conditions do change, may be decided on 

 the "first cost" basis. 



Wasted motions because of poor planning will alv/ays be costly. The real 

 secret to economy of structure and labor hinges upon good preliminary planning, 



-- M, J. Liarkuson 



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THE BUILDING SITUATION , 



I ■!  I I —  I IM M  ■■!■ I«     ■!■ V « 



In ten years the value of farm structures has doubled. This is due in part 

 to the decreased purchasing value of the dollar, to the scarcity of lumber and 

 the relatively high costs of labor. To replace these buildings would cost three 

 times their former value. These are round figures. Close estimates are difficult 

 to obtain because of the confusing building situation. 



One of the greatest tragedies that can befall a farmer is loss of his 

 structures including contents by fire. One farmer out of every forty is visited 

 by fire every yoar and about half of those visited have serious or crippling 

 losses according to Howard Russell, Chairman of the Farm Fire Prevention Committee, 

 The farmer can do two tilings -v.-hich v/ill reduce these losses. He can heed the 

 precautions directed to farm men and women prepared by the Farm Fire Prevention 

 Committee and he can carry adequate insurance on his buildings and contents. 

 Farmers v/ho are careful, thoughtful, and fire conscious and whose employees are 

 trained similarly, generally have a better record of losses by accident and fire 

 than those who disregard warnings, instructions and suggestions for safety. 



Building materials are becoming more plentiful as production is increasing 

 but scarcities will exist until the needs of housing become more normal. It is 

 likely that prices of labor and materials will stay high for several months at 

 least. It is always a matter of conjecture when and how much prices will fall. 

 It is most linlikely that prices v;ill ever drop to the level of the thirties 

 because of the permanently reduced purchasing value of the dollar, 



IThether one should build at the present time or not depends on many factors. 

 If his business is such that he can reap quick and large profits sufficient to. 

 warrant the structure and can liquidate the business quickly, the investment in 

 a structure may be vmrranted. On the other hand, the probable income from many 

 New England f&ms will not justify the present high cost of construction, V.Tien 

 construction can be deferred, it is usually advisable to do so. 



Masonry vmlls for fam structures are becoming more common. Many farmers 

 have said that the use of cinder block masonry in construction compares favorably 

 with v/ood frame construction, Vv'ood masonry requires two coats of a water-proof 

 cement paint applied v;ith a scrub brush, othervJise the walls will absorb dampness 

 from the rain, 



' — \'J» C, Harrington 



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