FARMING COMPARED 789 



that should not be neglected by the farmer, but, too, is indicative of the 

 importance which agriculture plays in the welfare of the nation. 



Back to the Farm. — The back to the farm movement naturally origi- 

 nated in cities as the result of increased cost of living and the apparent 

 better opportunities for the man on the farm. Much has been written 

 on this subject and a word of caution should be sounded, lest those that 

 are illy prepared for farm life should engage in it, only to be greatly dis- 

 appointed. They should thoroughly understand that the farm is no place 

 for the inefficient. Those who are not capable of successfully directing 

 their own efforts will do better to serve under the direction of others who 

 are competent. In farming, one generally must direct his own operations. 

 One without experience is necessarily handicapped when thrown into 

 competition with those born and reared on farms. It is, therefore, sug- 

 gested that those without experience who are anxious to acquire farms 

 with a view of farming them successfully should first get experience by 

 actually working on farms under the direction of the best and most prac- 

 tical farmers. 



Back to the Village Movement. — There is no doubt but that cities 

 have become over-populated, resulting in great congestion and sacrifice 

 on the part of many of its residents. There are many industries crowded 

 into great Jcities that could be operated to better advantage in villages. 

 The demands of a great city call for so much in the way of food products 

 that much of it must necessarily be shipped long distances, while the prod- 

 ucts manufactured in the city must in turn be sent back to the people 

 in the country, thus entailing much expense in transportation. The 

 cheaper living in the country would do much to reduce the cost of the 

 manufactured article and should at the same time afford the farmer equally 

 as good prices for his products. It is true that it might reduce somewhat 

 the demands on the farmer, since the provision of small parcels of land 

 for families in towns and village would enable each family to produce 

 part of its own food supply. Whatever might be the disadvantage on the 

 part of the farmer, it would certainly be an advantage to the country as 

 a whole. 



The Farm Manager. — The purchase of farms by men in other forms 

 of business has given rise to a demand for men trained as farm managers. 

 In many cases such farms are used chiefly as country homes, and cannot 

 be expected to pay interest on over-capitalization. Farming, to be profit- 

 able, must be placed on a business basis. It is not possible for the ordinary 

 cow to make a profit on the feed consumed, the labor required, and at the 

 same time pay 6 per cent interest on a barn that costs $1000 per cow. 

 The young man who engages as a farm manager is cautioned to accept 

 such a position only after careful consideration and with a clear under- 

 standing as to what he is expected to accomplish. He should know at 

 the outset whether or not he is merely to operate a country estate for the 

 pleasure of its owner and his friends, or whether he is expected to run 



