PLANNING THE FARM BUSINESS 113 



Suggested Changes in Organization and Operation of Farm C 



Most of the major adjiistinents possible in the long-time organization of 

 this farm have already been made. There is now more opportunity for im- 

 provement in certain minor phases of the organization and operation. The 

 following three problems are probably most significant on this farm at the 

 jn'esent time: 



1. Improvement of hay and pasture land. 



2. Use of more equipment in haymaking and silo filling. 

 o. l.al)or organization at apple-picking tinie. 



//«(/ (ind Pasture Jniprovenient 



Any method of impro\ement of the hay and pasture land is worth while 

 which adds more to the net farm income than it takes away through direct 

 cost or interference with otiier phases of the farm business. This farm al- 

 ready produces excellent yields of good quality hay. In most seasons there 

 is sufficient roughage to supply the needs of the livestock. In some years like 

 1929, however, there is a shortage. Mr. C has demonstrated on a small scale 

 that he can grow alfalfa successfully without difficulty for a reasonable cash 

 outlay. Now is the time to expand the acreage of alfalfa. This will give him 

 a greater production of hay. The higher quality will also make possible 

 some reduction in the grain ration fed the dairy cows. A further advantage 

 will be an improvement in labor distribution on hay. The second cutting of 

 alfalfa will cause a larger proportion of the haymaking to come in late sum- 

 mer when there is less conflicting demand for labor. The first cutting will 

 come ahead of apple thinning and work out as well as the present distribution. 



There is now plenty of June pasture. There would be no advantage in im- 

 proving pasture production at this period. If more early feed or midsummer 

 grass could be obtained without excessive cost it might prove profitable 

 through saving grain or hay. Early pasture would also heljj to reduce barn 

 chores during the rush of spring work on apples and silage corn. 



Mr. C is also experimenting on a small scale with sweet clover pasture. 

 The dry weather in 1929 affected his results, but he expects to do better in 

 ordinary seasons. He is not so certain of the value of fertilizing to secure 

 early spring pasture, but plans to try it out on a small area to determine 

 how successful it will be under his conditions. 



Use of Machineri/ for Hai/tnnkinr) a7id Silo Filling 



The labor of haymaking could be considerably reduced by the use of a hay 

 loader and side delivery rake. Time records show that three men can load 

 hay about 50 per cent more rapidly with a hay loader than by hand. They 

 can also do it with less fatigue. After allowing for the hauling distance, the 

 size and shajie of fields and other factors, it is estimated that all the hay on 

 this farm could be put in the barn with about 25 per cent less man labor by 

 making this change. The initial extra investment would be about $300. If 

 the saving in time did not warrant this expense, the improvement in quality 

 of the hay, due to more rapid curing in the field as well as quicker removal to 

 tiie barn, might make it profitable. 



