Book-keeping 



most successful, whilst attempts by book-fed out- 

 siders to farm theoretically are doomed to failure, 

 but this does not prove that theory is no good. It 

 only means that practice comes first. Theory, 

 after all, is only the collected results of the practice 

 of others beyond our reach. 



Where the farmer suffers most is in his lack of 

 proper accounts. Because of the neglect of educa- 

 tion, the contempt of figures, and the love of rule 

 of thumb and " doing as my neighbours or my 

 father did," not ten per cent of our farmers keep 

 accounts at all, and not one per cent keep really 

 comprehensive ones. Providing their bank account 

 is in about the same state from year to year, their 

 bills not noticeably higher than usual, and their 

 stock about what they consider it should be, they 

 are satisfied. 



The Government, so relentless in other cases, 

 has given up hope of figures from farmers, and 

 accepts one-third of the rent as profit. But the 

 farmer has no idea of his profits and losses, nor 

 has he at any time a clue to his financial position, 

 and is, to the business man, in an unenviable state. 



Every man who conducts a business on proper 

 lines is careful in this matter. He makes out a 

 profit and loss account, checks it with his balance- 

 sheet, and knows not only how much he has made, 

 but how much he is worth. At any moment he 



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