REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE. 27 



to imify the methods and improve the general character of all farm 

 management work. On the basis of these recommendations, sepa- 

 rate conferences were held for the purpose of indicating in greater 

 detail the activities proposed by the reorganization committee, and 

 esi)ecially to consider the projects relating to cost of production, 

 farm organization, land utilization, and farm life. 



These conferences resulted in the following approved projects: 



(1) Cost of Production Studies. The value and impoi-tance of 

 such studies are set forth clearly m the report of the reorganiza- 

 tion committee, as foUows: 



Cost of production studies are of value to the individual farmer and, at the 

 siinie time, are helpful in ascertaining the economic status of farming as an 

 industry. 



From the standpoint of the individual farmer the primary purposes are: 



(1) To record the details of the farm business for reference. 



(2) To give an insight into the elements and Interrelations of the different 

 farm activities. 



(3) To furnisli information that may enable the farmer to reduce costs or 

 otherwise increase profits. 



(4) To make possible a comparison of the profitableness of the different 

 enterprises and combinations of enterprises. 



Tlie records secured by cost of production studies give data for analyzing 

 the farm business, and thus are of fundamental importance in the whole pro- 

 gram of agricultural research and education. The results of such studies on 

 a number of farms where a given type of farming is practiced are useful not 

 only to the farmers from whose farms the results were obtained, but are of 

 value In showing other farmers liow to improve their methods. 



From the standpoint of the public, cost of production studies provide tlie 

 facts which give a basis for intelligent judgment upon the probable effects 

 of any given legislation or other public activity upon the farmer as a producer 

 and as a citizen. Cost of production studies are therefore one of the means 

 of providing the basic facts needed by legislators and price commissions in 

 comparing the profits of comiieting lines of production and estimating necessary 

 price. 



(2) Farm-Life Studies. These studies are to be conducted with 

 a view to make living conditions in the home and in the community 

 more satisfactory to the farm family. They will cover the follow- 

 ing topics : Eural home life ; opportunities for social contacts in typi- 

 cal rural communities; the relation of educational and religious in- 

 stitutions to farm-life problems; problems relating to geographical 

 population groups, such as the relation of urban and rural popula- 

 tions, the shifting of rural populations, race elements in rural 



