DIVERSITY 33 



while the main product is simply run at cost 

 or even a little below. 



The hardest problem which the farmer has 

 is to plan tne various enterprises on his farm to 

 yield the greatest yearly return. It is easy 

 enough to pick out the one most profitable en- 

 terprise, but he must determine the combina- 

 tion which, taken together, will produce the 

 biggest profit, and that means very largely the 

 most persistent and profitable use of men and 

 horses. 



The old-time farmer answered it with the 

 single crop of the dairy. Milking kept him 

 fairly busy throughout the year, and the har- 

 vest season found him overworked for a few 

 weeks. He could milk ten cows and have plenty 

 of time to drive to the creamery and stop a 

 while at the store. It was pleasant and profit- 

 able, but it was too simple and competition 

 entered into the game. The production of milk 

 and butter increased until they were sold at a 

 price that did not pay the producer full-time 

 wages for half-time work. This is the con- 

 dition on many farms to-day, for all of the 

 owners have not learned to change their ways, 



