180 FARM MANAGEMENT 



methods ; and since there is a tendency for the average 

 person to lag behind, it follows that a little more inten- 

 sive methods than the average of the community will 

 usually be best. (See also pages 181 to 182.) 



116. Receipts per cow and profits. In Tompkins 

 County, New York, the 12 most profitable farms out of 

 1317 received 48 per cent better returns per cow than 

 the average of the region. They purchased 89 per cent 

 more grain feed per cow than the average. Those who 

 kept sheep secured returns per ewe 83 per cent above the 

 average. 1 



In Jefferson County, New York, there were 17 farms 

 out of 670 that made labor incomes of over $2000. The 

 average receipts from milk and its products were $59 per 

 cow on all farms, and $92, or 56 per cent, more, on these 

 most successful farms. The receipts from stock sold 

 above purchases averaged $14 per cow on all farms, and 

 $11 on the most successful farms. 



By comparing with the crop yields on these farms 

 (page 167), it will be seen that the production of the 

 animals exceeds the average by very much more than 

 does the production of crops. The factors that determine 

 crop production are much less under control than are the 

 factors that affect animal production. If one does his 

 part for a half better crop yield than the average under 

 his conditions, he is not at all sure of getting this yield, 

 because the weather may limit the crop. But if one does 

 his part for a half better production from animals, he is 

 fairly sure of corresponding returns. (See also pages 169 

 to 171.) 



1 New York, Cornell Bulletin 295, p. 525. 



