A FARM MANAGEMENT SURVEY IN BROOKS CO., GA. I§ 



It is seen that the average receipts, expenses, and net farm income 

 (or farm income) 1 for the different groups vary in almost direct pro- 

 portion to the size of the farm. The same is true of both the labor 

 income and the farmer's earnings. Thus the farm income varies from 

 $226 for the smallest-farm size group to $2,471 for the largest-farm 

 group, giving an average of $1,069 for all of the white farmers, $456 

 for the colored, and $952 for all the farms taken together. This 

 figure represents the fund available for the living of the farmer and 

 his family, provided he owns his farm unmortgaged, in addition to 

 the unpaid family labor and the products furnished directly by the 

 farm. This is of special interest to the unmortgaged farm owner. 



When the earnings of the farm capital, or interest upon the value 

 of the farm nnd equipment, is subtracted from the farm income, the 

 difference is called labor income. This item varies among the differ- 

 ent groups of farms from $58 for the smallest farm to $512 for the 

 largest one, with an average of $232 for all farms. The labor income 

 is the measure of farm efficiency used in most farm-management sur- 

 veys. It is of special concern to the tenant and the farmer who car- 

 ries a mortgage. It must be remembered, however, that it does not 

 take into account the living that the farmer and his family get di- 

 rectly from the farm. 



When the items last named, consisting of food, fuel, 2 and house 

 rent, 3 are added to the labor income, the sum is what in this publica- 

 tion is called the farmer's earnings. This sum varies on these groups 

 of farms from $370 for the smallest farm size group to $1,448 for the 

 largest farm group, with averages of $897, $476, and $816 for the 

 white, colored, and all farms, respectively. The farmer's earnings are 

 the measure of farm returns that has been used more than any other 

 throughout this study. 



The farmer's earnings do not include the value of the unpaid 

 family labor. The latter averaged $101, and when added to the 

 former equals what is shown in the table as family earnings. This 

 figure represents the value of all that the farmer and his family secure 

 from the farm in addition to the interest on the farm investment. It 

 is the amount that the tenant would have for a living for himself and 

 family. The sum of this figure and the interest on the investment 

 represents the total net returns that the unmortgaged farm owner and 

 his family secure from his farm, the average amount of which varies 

 from $599 on the smallest farm group to $3,509 on the largest farm 

 group, and $1,811, $897, and $1,637 for all white, all colored, and all 

 farms, respectively. 



1 See definition in footnote, p. 13. 



2 Farm value of wood (uncut) used in the farm home. This does not include wood 

 used by croppers and wage hands. However, the latter is included in labor costs in 

 calculating costs of production. 



3 Ten per cent of the present value of the dwelling (not the cost when new) is taken 

 to cover the interest, taxes, and insurance. 



