Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-11-06
DaiIu kennebei 3ournal.
The Cost of Farm Operations

Inc (Ost OF arm OpcEdtIOHs-
The actual cost of growing crops, or the
strict dollars and cents " of our farming
operations, cannot always be strictly car
ried cut in the business of farming. 1t is
of course very well, as q discipline, to
adhere closely to the system OF accounts
with workmen, men with whom farmers
have dealings. of whom they purchase or
to whom they sell-and the memorandum
book comes into good service in such
transactions. 1t should always be used.
There is no system or sense in keeping
farm accounts in the head" or chalking
them upon the stable door. But when it
comes to growing crop. or raising an
animal, it is not so easy matter to put
down clearly every item of expense or
cost; and when the crop is harvested or
the animal sold, the exact profit cannot
always be figured out This follows from
the very complex nature OF the work OF
the farm. For instance. in growing
crop of corn the farmer is in one sense
preparing and manuring land for sue
ceeding crop. A well prepared and well
MANFRED corn field is better fitted for the
succeeding grain crop than could be the
case il grain were sOwn at once. Why?
The farmer in fitting his land for corn,
plans not only Tor the corn, but for the
crop Of wheat, barley or Oats,-with
which he proposes 10 seed down-and also
for succeeding crops of grass. He wants
to so prepare and fertiliZe his land that it
will give him good crop of grass from
four to six or seven years. In order to
do this he must manure well say fiji
teen cords to the acre Qhirty ox-catt loads)
and from POO to 300 pounds of special fer
tilizer. Now, what proportion Of
this manure shall be charged to the
cost Of the growing crop, and what part
of the unexpended fertility credited to the
succeeding crops of grain and hay? These
are matters which involve nice calcula
tons, because the cost OF manuring in one
instance will be greater than in another,
from the fact that the farmer in the one
case has further to haul hts dressing than
in another; or one can do it himself, while
another must pay for hired men to do it.
The careful farmer must figure out the
cost of these operations to suit his own
case.
In general it may be stated as correct
that in all his operations. the farmer is
words selling his time and labor to the
custodian OF those combined natural
forces upon which the success of his eff
forts depends He works in preparing
land, growing crops. raising cattle, max
ing butter or cheese. His pay comes in
the form of the products and crops
obtained. BY honest, faithful work.
by diligence and economy, by
using good Judgment and intelli-
gence, the farmer succeeds in harvesting
big crops, raising fine colts or large
steers. His barns are full; his cellar
contains stores of supplies for home use
for the year; his sheds are piled high
with fuel; he has means of comfort and
enjoyment In addition there has been
nice colt sold, or pair of steers. or
dozen or twenty wethers that have been
fattened tor the tall market. There is
little money in pocket, and possibly a
comfortable balance at the Savings Bank.
The taxes are paid and he has few dol
lars laid by. together with ham. a bar
rel of apples and bushe of beans for the
parsons donation party. There has
been time tor visiting, for attending the
cattle shows, the papers are read every
week. and the evenings spent in iollity at
home or at a neighbours. Are not these
things good pay for the years labors ?
Has the down town merchant any better
results to show? Here is the pay for
work in growing crops and raising cattle.
Is it not good pay? Have not the crops
given satisfactory returns? Ought not
the farmer to be contented? Can we fig
ure out the cost or the profits from his sea-
sons labors any better than this