Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1902-11-21
Agricultural.
FARM PROFIT AND LOSS.

With all that has been advanced in
favor of soils, breeds and cultivation,
the fact is always plain that success or
failure depends upon the farmer, and it
is not out of place TO claim that the man
is as frequently subject for improve
ment as the stock. Fortun ately, the
breeds Of animals are forcing upon the
farms better breeds Of men, with the
result that as each generation passes
away now systems Of farming appear,
and farms become more desirable. The
farmer looks for profit, but 10 that re-
spect he may be fortunate, even when
no actual profit has been made, for be
pays unto himself wages for his labor.
The farm. therefore, provides its owner
with employment and enables him to
derive living for himself and family
through the exercise Of judgment and
labor There is a distinction between
profit and loss on the farm. as compared
with other occupations. The merchant
or mechanic must support his family
from the net receipts Of his business.
The farmer estimates his recsipts from
the farm without considering the fact
that he has had shelter and food for his
family during the time he has been pro-
ducing bis crops. The real profit on a
farm is that portion remaining after all
expenses are paid, the expenses being
great or little, according to the degree Of
economy practiced. Like the merchant,
the farmer may make mistakes, but be
is not as dependent upon the condition
of the markets as the merchant, for the
reason that the farmer has q home
market for much that he produces.
Many Of the losses in farming occur
on the farm, and are not due entirely
to outside influences. There are sea
sons of the year when it is difficult to
curtail expenses, but if the farmer will
avoid entailing upon himself unneces.
sary expense he will have performed
for himself an important service. For
instance many farmers abuse the privi-
leges of credit They are tempted to
buy and go into debt because they are
not compelled to pay cash but there
arrives time for each when the obli-
cations must be met, and such frequent
ly happens when they are least prepared
for so doing. To purchase harvest.
ing machine out Of season because no
cash is required is TO assume an obi
cation in advance and TO discard ar
implement that can be made to perform
more service, in order to procure 1
newer one, is to use certain amour
of capital invested. 1t is possible tha
one Of the greatest blessings that could
be bestowed upon some farmers would
be to deny them credit. They wOulC
then be more disposed to hold on Il
their cash, and would also learn economy
that in after years might lead to success
in buying. selling aud general manage
ment. Every farmer should purchase
what he requires, as it is not economical
to attempt to farm without the aid oil
the best implements, stock and fertil.
izers, but it is not economical to pur
chase anything that is not absolutely
necessary. The expresses include every.
thing purchased and the profits are de-
creased accordingly; hence the prof
depends, as stated, more upon the farmer
than upon the farm.
Many unnecessary expenses on the
farm are created by the farmer. To re.
tain something that is Of itself an ex'
pense adds to the expenses, and lessons
the pr TT, and to endeavor to force thu
form beyond its productive capacity
without compensation in the form o.
manure or fertilizer increases the ex
pense, because the item of labor maj
exceed the receipts. When too many
animals are retained in preference to 4
few choice ones. the expenses become
greater, because the farmer then keeps
on his hands too many non producing
individuals. If he can purchase two
cows that give only as much milk al
one superior animal, he may enjoy the
possession Of q greater number OF ami
mails, but he has at the same time added
to the expenses of the farm by being
compelled to bestow more labor, shelter
food and care than is necessary, in order
TO derive certain product. No farmer
should be content to receive from herd
or aock only one-half of that which
could be derived with the aid Of better
stock, for such loss is a very large
one, and can never be recovered. Judg
ment is also necessary in determining
how to derive the most from certain soils
or locations on the farms. Farmers can
be found who make larger profits with
poultry and on small areas, than Others
with cows. This is due to the poultry.
man having the best breeds to be OBJ
tanned. while the farmers herd Of COWS
are incapable of giving more thar
enough to pay expenses. The fault with
the large majority Of farmers is not tina;
they are unwilling to reduce expenses,
but that they unwisely increase them by
Encouragement -Philadelphia Record