COST OF PRODUCTION 



807 



portion to their prevalence and, consequently, increase the cost of production. 

 They not only increase the cost in this way, but they call for extra expense in 

 production. Weeds necessitate additional tillage; insects call'for the use of 

 spray materials, as do also diseases. Diseases increase not only the cost of 

 production in crops, but may in the same manner affect the cost of pro- 

 ducing animals and animal products, since they likewise are subject to dis- 

 ease which may cause loss and call for additional expense in treatment. 



Efficiency. — A lack of efficiency increases the cost of production. 

 Efficiency is made up of little things, and includes the wasted moments 

 and hours, as well as the waste of products. Efficiency calls for the 

 proper care of implements and animals on the farm, the preparation of 

 land and the planting of crops at the most favorable time. Destruction 

 of weeds is much less expensive when tillage is given in the nick of time. 

 Efficiency calls for the utilization of time, of men and teams to the fullest 

 possible advantage. The loss entailed by hunting for some missing part 

 of a machine or mending a long-neglected break is often serious and adds 

 materially to the cost of production. 



Reducing Expenses. — Expenses in the cost of production may be 

 reduced by an actual reduction in the expenditures for labor of horses and 

 men and machinery, or the business may be increased in order to more 

 fully utilize the present force and equipment. On many farms horses 

 work on an average only three hours per day, whereas by proper organiza- 

 tion a number of work horses might be dispensed with and the hours per 

 horse increased. This reduces the actual expenses. In the same way 

 the expense for labor may be reduced. The following tabulation taken 

 from the Tribune Farmer shows the distribution of horse labor for a year 

 on a New York farm: 



Distribution of Horse Labor on a New York Farm. 



Note — A cost of 810 a month or $120 a year is assumed. 



