22 FARM MANAGEMENT 



an average of about $572 for food. 1 With larger incomes 

 the cost of food increases, but is a smaller proportion of 

 the total expense. Farmers nearly always underestimate 

 the value of products furnished by the farm, and city 

 persons are just as prone to overestimate it. 



A part of the reduced cost of living on farms is due to a 

 reduced living as well as a reduced cost. Not all farm 

 families live on the fat of the land. More frequently 

 the best is sold. The chief items in the cost of living in 

 city or country are not food, but the miscellaneous items. 

 On many of these the farmer saves because he goes with- 

 out. Most conspicuous of these is a bathroom and run- 

 ning water. Running water and sewage disposal can be 

 had at small cost in the city, but on most farms are very 

 expensive for installation and still more expensive for 

 operation. The cost of higher education is another very 

 expensive item for the farmer. Usually his children must be 

 furnished a horse to drive to high school, or must pay board 

 while attending. In the city the children can go through 

 high school and often through college while living at home. 



The farm-grown produce and the house are usually 

 cheaper on the farm. Less expensive clothing is needed. 

 Horses for pleasure driving are cheaper. 



There are many items in the cost of living that are 

 cheaper in cities than on farms. Schools, libraries, 

 churches, and theaters are cheaper because of less cost 

 to get to them. Running water is much cheaper. Light 

 is cheaper, if the farmer is not content with kerosene lamps. 

 If the farm produces wood, it is cheaper than in the city, 

 but if fuel is purchased in town, it is cheaper there because 

 of less expense in hauling. All food that is shipped from 



1 R. C. Chapin, The Standard of Living among Working Men's Fami- 

 lies in New York City, p. 70. 



