Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1880-02-27
farm aud Npllsehpla.
Cost Of Farm Produce.

Agsuccessful manufacturer knows the
cost of his goods to mathematical GER
tainty; the cotton spinner estimates the
expense of his yard of cloth to the frac-
ton of mill, the architect, the carpen-
ter, the shipbuilder is prepared to make
an accurate figure as to the expense of
any particular piece of work But what
shall We say of the farmer in this respect :?
How many cultivators of the soil can
name the cost of bushel of grain,
barrel ofpotatoes or ton of hay E? How
many stock-breeders can give the cost of
pound of beef or mutton or pork p
How many dairymen have any exact
knowledge of the cost of quart Of milk,
pound of butter or cheese And vet
the pursuit of agriculture, useful and
important, should be made remunerative
and pleasant. Those who follow this
calling should receive the same recon-
psnse for their toll as those who labor in
any other channel of human industry.
Without order and system in accounts
no business can be successful Or satisfy
ing. Without fixed determination to
master details, especially as to. receipts
and expenditures, agriculture can never
be made remunerative.
Far too often is it the case that the
indifferent, easy-going farmer simply
sells his produce for the most he can got,
without even knowing its cost. 1t may
be said that whole book full Of figures
would not change the market quotations
for farm-crops. True, but knowledge
of vital facts might show the individual
farmer that he was producing corn at
loss when he could raise oats at profit
Accurate figures might convince him
that sheep husbandry, in the sale of
wool, mutton ana early lambs, secured
profit far beyond the result of feeding a
bunch of steers. Many dairyman who
should strike true balance would deter
mine that his herd needed wedding of its
Improbable animals, and that some par
ticular product of the dairy would give
more remunerative returns than others.
As well might the mariner plough the
seas in his little bark without compass
as for farmer to pursue Il haphazard
business course concerning his farm man
ufactures. 1t is useless to raise those
crops which can only be sold at loss
In certain specialtios it we're unwise to
enter upon fruitless competition with
those producers who are more highly ia
vored in soil, climate and market ia
cilities.
Tho information derived from accurate
accounts, which inform US what we can
not do to a profit, is almost az valuable
as to know the probable sources of sue
cess. Governments erect and maintain
expensive lighthouses to warn the sailor
of the dangerous reef and shoal To
keep out of trouble is an important ele-
ment in the economy of living. A safe
estimate of our capacity and weakness is
valuable actor in the business of life.
We may make number Of profitable
ventures. the net results Of which may
he entirely Offset by single ill-advised
scheme. Successful farming demands
the facts and figures, the leaks and
shrlnkages, the possibilities of economy
and better management. There is moth
ing like an honest trial balance for cor
rccting erroneous opinions, faulty prac-
tees or vague theories. Farming as u
business must stand the same test of
profit and loss as is applied to other en-
Payments. Amateur farmers may rest
content to raise corn at cost of one
dollar per bushcl for selling at sixty
cents, but the average husbandman has
at the best only narrow margin be-
tween the cost and selling price, and one
HAT requires more intimate acquaint-
ance, in business point of view, than
Is generally accorded american Cm-
ttodtOf.