DRY-FARMING CONGRESS, WICHITA, 1914 



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organized farm produces and turns the finished product direct to the 

 consumer, or nearly so. On the other hand, there may be a very slight 

 relationship between the business of production and that of distribution. 

 Many of the raw products obtained from the farm are in such an un- 

 finished state that many processes may be required before they are ready 

 for the consumer. 



Better System of Distribution Necessary 



The development of better systems of distribution which involve less 

 loss and waste, is of vital importance in the farm business. This is par- 

 ticularly true with respect to the more perishable products. Its effect 

 must be to make a larger return on the farm business. Estimates made 

 in the United States indicate that on the average the farmer probably 

 receives 45 cents to 55 cents for each dollar expended by the consumer. 

 It is said that the farmer of Denmark and some other European countries 

 receives 60 cents to 65 cents from each dollar expended by the consumer. 

 The importance of this increased return can scarcely be over-estimated. 

 To obtain it will require the united efforts of communities — the standardi- 

 zation of products, and the development of a closer social structure among 

 the smaller producers. It is obtainable, but as a factor affecting the 

 business of farming it must be solved by groups of individuals. It is a 

 problem of organization and cooperation. Individual efficiency and skill 

 may solve it only to a limited degree. 



The problem of production is largely an individual affair. It is this 

 phase of agriculture that is primarily the business of farming. Efficient 

 production is the basis of success in the farm business. One should not 

 infer from this that exceedingly large yields must be produced or that 

 the farm business must be based upon high yields, intensive culture and 

 small acreage. The successful farm business is measured by not income, 

 not crop yields or area farmed. It is based upon the proper balancing 

 and development of the fundamental factors of diversity, organization 

 of the farm, successful production, size of the business, and location. A 

 proper regard for these factors and their development brings success. 

 They may not, however, affect the distribution of the product. This phase 

 of the farm business is dependent upon another group of factors. 



Production Important to Individual 



Successful farming is an individual problem. As such, it is largely a 

 matter of efficient production and utilization of the products, under an 

 organization of the fundamental factors previously mentioned. It is this 

 phase of the farm business to which I particularly wish to call your 

 attention, rather than that of distribution. The farmer, as an individual, 

 has within his control the primary factors which affect efficiency of pro- 

 duction, and consequently determines to a large degree through this 

 efficiency the success of his farm enterprise and his business as a whole. 

 He may determine to a great extent the character, quality and quantity 

 of his products. The price obtained may be affected to a very slight 

 degree by his wishes, but he has within his control, to a considerable 



