166 FARM MANAGEMENT 



to pay the cost. This would not be a very attractive in- 

 vestment with hay at less than $18 to $20. 



In some extra good years, this treatment on this farm 

 may give an increase of If tons per acre. The fixed costs 

 would then be $365 and the variable cost $404. The cost 

 of the 90 tons of hay would be $8.55 per ton. 



FIG. 51. An irrigated pear orchard in Colorado. The high cost of irri- 

 gation and transportation makes very intensive methods most profitable. 



We find that the increased crop costs approximately 

 $16.83 per ton if the increase is one-half ton, $10.58 per ton 

 if the increase is one ton, and $8.55 if the increase is one 

 and one-half tons. Farmers in New York often grow hay 

 by ordinary methods at a cost of $6 per ton. These results 

 may suggest the reason why farmers are so slow to take up 

 the fertilizing of hay. If one can grow more acres by or- 

 dinary methods, he may do as well or better than by spend- 

 ing his limited capital for fertilizer. If he cannot buy or 

 rent more land or if he has plenty of money, he may use 

 fertilizers. When land becomes worth more it will pay to 

 be more saving of it. 



The farmer who kept these cost accounts considers that 



