DIVERSITY 31 



Elementary business prudence suggests in- 

 surance or a division of risks; and that is one 

 thing that diversity does for the farmer. Early 

 rains will help the hay crop and hinder certain 

 others ; hot days and nights will make the corn 

 grow but worry the cows ; late rains may give 

 an extra cut of rowen even while they cause 

 the potatoes to decay in the ground. The price 

 of any one crop may be abnormally low in any 

 given year, but the chance of hitting a wrong 

 market with many is reduced with every addi- 

 tional crop. It is better to have the income dis- 

 tributed throughout the year, for it is then 

 easier to make it meet the demands. If capital 

 is limited, money must be borrowed to meet the 

 expenses and then paid off at the end of the 

 season when the crops are sold. This is un- 

 pleasant, for one likes to have the "feel" of a 

 little money once in a while. If enough money 

 is within reach to pay expenses, then a lump 

 sum in the bank is dangerous, as it begets the 

 habit of spending. More than either of these is 

 the mental effect of having small amounts drib- 

 bling in throughout the year. It keeps up a 



