FARM RECORDS AND ACCOUNTS 885 



records are helpful in most any kind of farming. Records of the applica- 

 tion of manure or fertilizers to the different fields of the farm are essential 

 in deciding where manure or fertilizers had best be used. Records in the 

 form of maps showing the location of drains should never be neglected. 



Records of milk production and butter-fat content enable the farmer 

 to dispose of unprofitable cows. Such records enable him to select calves 

 most likely to develop into productive adults. 



An inventory once a year is a necessary part of farm accounting. 



Blank Forms and Books Necessary. — Farm bookkeeping does not 

 require that accounts be kept in a particular form so long as it is a logical 

 selection and arrangement of facts, bearing upon the essentials of the busi- 

 ness. So far as blank forms fit the records to be made, time is saved in 

 using them. The kind of blank forms suitable for one farmer may not fit 

 the conditions of another. It is generally best for each farmer to ascertain 

 the character of books and what kind of blank forms best meet his require- 

 ments. Once started in farm accounting, he will ultimately find it advan- 

 tageous to devise blanks that will fit his needs. He may then have a 

 supply printed at small cost that will last for several years. 



To begin with, one will usually need a day book small enough to be 

 carried in the pocket. This should have one column ruled on the left of 

 each page for the date and a double column at the right for receipts and 

 expenses. The space between the columns may be used for entering the 

 items bought or sold, or may be used for memorandum for work done. In 

 addition to this, a journal should be kept. It should have two double 

 qplumns on the right of each page, one for charges and the other for credits. 

 Some prefer to use two pages for each account, devoting the right-hand page 

 to credits and the left-hand page to charges. 



How to Keep Accounts. — Cost accounts contain many estimates. 

 It is foolish to spend time and refinement in methods of bookkeeping in 

 hunting for insignificant errors or to check accounts to the last cent. It is 

 these things that frequently disgust farmers with accounting. One should 

 know what facts to record in order to accomplish the desired object. A 

 full set of accounts will involve an annual inventory, a record of time 

 accounts, a record of all receipts and disbursements, and a record of the 

 time of men and teams for all of the farm enterprises, including each crop 

 grown and each class of animals raised. It should also show the amount 

 and value of crops transferred from bin or mow to the feed bins and feed 

 lots. These data may be classified and distributed to the different accounts. 

 These accounts should include interest, notes and accounts payable, notes 

 and accounts receivable, equipment, labor, improvements and a personal 

 account. In addition to these there should be one for each farm 

 enterprise. 



It is essential to record in the diary transactions of the day. Little 

 difficulty will be found in remembering the day's transactions and amount 

 of time employed in work items. If no record is made for several days, 



