12 BULLETIN 4CK), U.' S. DEPARTMENT OE AGRICULTURE. 
farm-loan business, while the farmers of their vicinity generally are 
obtaining loans on better terms than those living under similar 
agricultural conditions elsewhere. 
It is realized that the farmers in some sections of the country are 
accustomed to carrying check accounts with banks and are as familiar 
with the requirements of banking relations as other business men. 
There are other regions, however, where many farmers have not had 
such experience in commercial matters and where the bankers could 
be of practical assistance in making the farmers better acquainted 
with banking methods. The banker should remember that the 
farmer is not subject to the periodic visits of an examiner, requiring 
that certain matters receive attention promptly within definite time 
limits. This is one reason why farmers do not always realize the 
importance of meeting their obligations on specified dates. One plan 
that has proved helpful in this connection is to have the banker give 
the farmer the benefit of ample written notice with reference to the 
maturity of interest or other payments. 
Existing banking methods and practices as related to farm loans 
are often criticised by reason of the unwillingness or inability of 
certain bankers to carry over farm loans until the farmer is prepared 
to meet his obligations. Complaint is often heard of cases where a 
banker, with a little extra effort, could make arrangements to cany 
over the loan of some farmer patron, but. where in fact an apparent 
indifference to the welfare of the farmer is shown. It is interesting 
to learn, however, that many bankers manifest exactly the opposite 
attitude, and use every resource at their command, includhig such 
assistance as they can obtain at larger financial centers, in order to 
carry over their farmer patrons until such time as payment on loans 
can be made conveniently. 
Where banks are active hi developing farm-loan business they 
realize the importance of understanding the requirements of safe and 
progressive agriculture and also the importance of educational work 
among farmers in the interest of improved agriculture. Such knowl- 
edge gives the banker a better understanding of the merits of farm 
loans and at the same time tends to raise the standard of farm-loan 
paper. These considerations not only make possible a safer and larger 
loan business for the banker but also lead to a decrease in the interest 
rates paid by the farmer. 
WASHINGTON : GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE! 1916 
