300 AGRICULTURAL ECONOMICS 



of the eggs produced by each individual. With the most careful 

 selection we could make, when estimating the capacities for egg yield- 

 ing by the type and forms of birds, we found we were still including 

 hens that were small workers. Many of these light layers gave evi- 

 dence of much vitality, and in many instances there were no marked 

 differences in form and action by which we were able to account for 

 the small amount of work performed by them. 



In 1898, therefore, a trap-nest was devised, by which we could 

 secure a record of the actual performance of each bird. Only by the 

 use of such nest boxes and records could, we hope to control our work. 

 Of 236 hens tested the first year, 39 laid 160 or more eggs and 35 laid 

 less than 100 each. A sample of the record is shown below. 



Such records also show at what time of the year the eggs of any 

 given hen were produced and, therefore, their relative value. It is 

 apparent that the summer layer is not as valuable as the hen that 

 produces a large share of her eggs when prices are high. 



123. 



B. Capital Accounts 



THE YOUNG FARMER'S NEED OF A YEARLY BUSINESS 

 INVENTORY 1 



The young farmer who is endeavoring to build up a more efficient 

 and profitable business seldom retains much cash. When money is 

 received he buys a new implement, another animal, improves a 

 building, or makes payments on bills for things bought on credit. 

 During the course of the year he may receive and pay out large sums 

 of money, leaving almost no cash at the end of the year. The annual 

 returns may seem to have been only a fair living for himself and 

 family, whereas the farm business may have turned a good profit, 



1 From Weekly News Letter to Crop Correspondents, United Stales Department 

 of Agriculture, March 10, 1915. 



