440 THE BUSINESS OF FARMING 



ming the coats of animals, oiling harness, making and repairing 

 double-trees, single-trees, axe handles, pick handles, hammer 

 handles, repairing furniture, painting and papering the farm house, 

 and many other things which occur incidentally. 



Planning winter work for the farm teams is an important item 

 in good farm management. If the roads are fit to use, the teams 

 may haul fertilizer, lime, manure from town, and may haul to 

 town any products that are to be sold, such as hogs or other live- 

 stock, and perhaps wheat or other grain. Teaming work may be 

 obtained in a nearby town, or contracts may be taken for the 

 marketing of produce in other regions. The hauling of wood, logs, 

 lumber and other materials may be contracted before the winter 

 season comes on. If the teams can be kept steadily employ el 

 they will be far more profitable. Such labor will give steady em- 

 ployment for the men who take care of the teams, and who may 

 also be used in caring for other animals on the farm mornings and 

 evenings. 



If work animals are to be idle through the winter, they should 

 also be used for breeding purposes, if possible. 



Marketing. One of the greatest problems connected with 

 marketing of farm produce is to decide when to sell. For standard 

 products such as livestock, grain, fibre crops, tobacco and others, 

 the market prices should be studied carefully. A paper which gives 

 reliable market reports should be a regular visitor at the farm. 



Make a record of the market prices of any one product, as 

 wheat or corn, showing the price on the first of each month through- 

 out the preceding year, or if possible through a number of years. 

 An examination of such a record will indicate the best month in 

 which to sell those crops. The man who has capital enough so 

 that he can afford to hold until the best market month of the 

 year will usually realize the best .returns. Prices are often greatly 

 depreciated because of the great numbers of farmers who are not 

 thus supplied with capital and cannot afford to hold their produce. 



Selling. There are a number of ways of selling products. On 

 farms making specialties of certain crops, the owner will soon 

 discover the best method of marketing. Poultry products, for 

 example, may be sold to dealers who travel through the country 

 and offer a cash price at the farm. This is one form of wholesaling. 

 They may also be sold to stores or special dealers at wholesale 

 prices. In contrast with this, many of the products are sold to 

 consumers at retail prices. This usually requires the farm wagon 



