24 U. OF N. H. AGRL EXP. STATION [Bulletin 249 



men, women and children; as actually paid for hired labor, and as es- 

 timated for home workers. In every case the average family labor 

 was estimated to be more valuable by the hour than the hired labor. 

 This results not only from the fact that the operator takes more in- 

 terest in, and responsibility for, the proper running of the stand but 

 also from the tendency to hire some very cheap labor to wash dishes, 

 carry ice, and run errands, rather than to serve as actual salesmen. 



An attempt was made to get some information in regard to costs of 

 buildings. Table XIV shows the results of estimates for 41 places hav- 

 ing 45 buildings originally constructed for the purpose of roadside 

 selling. The size of these buildings, compiled by simply averaging the 

 dimensions, was about 17 feet wide and 22 feet long. Many had an 

 overhang or open roof in addition. The average cost of construction 

 was $970. Certain selected costs of maintenance are also given. 

 Lights at these stands cost over $24 a season', which again emphasizes 

 the long days of work and short nights of rest for the operators. This 

 expense for lights included illuminated signs and in a very few in- 

 stances, a little power and heat for fans or grills on the same circuit. 

 Depreciation was estimated at about $20 and taxes at over $18. 

 The estimates on taxes tend to be a little high. There is an incli- 

 nation to compare taxes following the erection of the new stand 

 wuth the previous year's amount, and sometimes there has been 

 a revaluation of other property and more frequently an increase in 

 rate. This group of buildings for which selected costs were obtained 

 includes a few rather expensive ones. In contrast, there are attractive 

 farm stands which cost from $100 to $300; and the average for 42 

 places which had stands, out of the 55 in Table VIII, was $578, with 

 dimensions averaging 14 by 20 feet. Even in this group there were 

 four that cost $2,000 each or more, which seems excessive for the pur- 

 pose on ordinary farms. The average sales for this group were $3568. 

 The other 13 places had no definite buildings, simply tables and boxes, 

 and their average sales were $1816. 



Table XIV. — Average dimensions, value, and selected costs for 45 small buildings used at 



41 places for roadside salesrooms 



Average dimensions in feet 16.9 by 21.9 



Average cost of construction $970 



Average for selected costs : 



Lights .124.29 



Depreciation 19.76 



Taxes 18.36 



Other, including insurance, repairs, heat and miscellaneous 31 ,94 



Total S94.35 



Average sales at 41 places $3,991 



