FARM-MANAGEMENT SURVEY OF REPRESENTATIVE AREAS. 17 



2£ to 2^ pounds of twine per acre are ordinarily used. Thrashing 

 charges were approximately 2 cents a bushel for oats and 4 cents for 

 wheat, plus the cost of coal used. 



The average value of the farm buildings on the owner farms was 

 $2,401, and on the tenant farms, $1,652. If we include the cost of new 

 buildings and cash repairs, the annual charge is 5.2 per cent of the 

 building investment on the owner farms and 4.4 per cent on those 

 rented. These percentages are higher than they would be in a region 

 that has been settled longer and where fewer new buildings were 

 being erected. 



The average amount invested in farm machinery and tools on the 

 owner farms is $391. The annual expense for new machinery and 

 cash repairs is 16.9 per cent of the inventory value. This amounts to 

 50 cents per crop acre per year. On the rented farms the average 

 amount invested is $368, and the cash paid out for new machinery, 

 harness, and repairs is 21.2 per cent of the inventory value. This 

 makes a cost of 56 cents per crop acre. It is expected that the cost 

 would be higher on the latter, as men just starting in farming as 

 tenants would be likely to purchase more new machinery. 



RELATION OF PROFITS TO THE EFFICIENCY OF THE FARMER. 



Of the 273 farms operated by owners, one-third of them make a 

 minus labor income. Analysis of their farm business should show 

 the reasons why so many of these men failed to receive anything for 

 their labor. Is it because of poor crops, inferior stock, improper or- 

 ganization of the farm, or merely plain indifference on the part of the 

 farmer? It may justly be said that all these factors are contributing 

 causes. 



Leaving out of consideration the limitations set by the size of the 

 farm and the capital invested, the characteristics of the inefficient 

 farmer stand out prominently. Economically speaking, the greatest 

 losses figured on the basis of a labor income are due to indifference or 

 contentment on the part of the farmer. His farm area and capital 

 are sufficient to earn a substantial income. He fails through neglect 

 of work, low crop yields, inefficient stock, poor farm organization, 

 and unused capital. His expenses are the same per acre as those of 

 good farmers. His receipts are the weak point. His neighbors 

 succeed, not by spending less, but by taking in more. 



The size of the farm must also be considered in figuring losses, but 

 large losses are not probable in a small business. The little farmer 

 may lose all he has, but the greatest amount he can lose is small. 

 13131°— 14 3 



