FARM-MANAGEMENT SURVEY OF REPRESENTATIVE AREAS. a 
24 to 24 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 1s 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 
