Omaha daily bee., 1906-09-30
COST OF PRODUCING GRAIN
Results of an investigation About
to BE Published by the
Government.


How many farmers are there in the coun-
try who know how much II costs to produce
bushel of wheat, corn or other staple
product?
The claim is made by experts Of the De-
partment of Agriculture that efforts along
the line OF saving in cost Of production are
almost unknown to the average American
! farmer. and that in this failure rests the
explanation for so much dissatisfaction
among farmers even In times of compara-
tive high prices for farm staples. The de-
partment is about to publish the results of
an investigation into cost OF production on
farm staples.
From my view on the subject the secre-
tary of agriculture is In a certain sense
the steward of the great body OF husband
men in Uncle Sans domain" said an off,
cial of the department who has had long
practical experience in detailed operations
OF Agricultural investig ation. what better
work could the steward be engaged in than
In ascertainins what 1t costs to produce
the articles which enter into farm results.
30 that the farmer may have before him a
guide for his future plans in obtaining the
best results from his labor and his invest
ment? Attention has been frequently called
| to the fact that many OF the statistical
! bureaus OF this and other departments de-
vote too much attention to collecting in
| formation In regard TO the quantity We pro-
| duce and where sell II. Criticism was
made upon the department for the atten-
ton II gives TO collecting statistics that
are alleged to be utilized to a large extent
| In the speculative market, II is desirable
that the farmers should know how much If
given crop has been produced in this aud
other countries. II no doubt is help to
l n a.. IA ~ a.,
rent market prizes. But It would be in
nnitely better IL This farmer had more ac-
curate information with regard to what It
has cost him to preduce the crop that he
has harvested"
| The discussion OF an interesting feature
of government investigation was followed
| by other Inquiries into what information
| the government possesses In regard 70 the
cost. Of producing farm staples. The ex-
| perts of the department have ideas on the
| subject ana, given a statement OF exist
ing conditions. such as the value OF lands
I In given location. and they are able 10
igure out approximately what the cost Of
producing the principal farm staples per
acre should be In that locality. The i'm
preston prevails, however, that compare
lively few farmers In the country have
anything like accurate knowledge of what
"
ducts Of their own farms. Their atten-
tion IL devoted almost exclusively to pro-
ducing a crop. and. wanting in accurate
knowledge of keeping accounts OF the ele-
ments Of cost which enter into produce
ton. they have no means Of saving IN the
cost OF production for its influence upon
profits. It IL believed that the investiga-
| lions which the department Is now max
| ing upon number of farms in the cOun-
try. and which will give practical results
with land values. labor cost, value OF ma
ohinery employed. rent. interest taxes
ana all elements which enter into the cost
Of producing farm staples will constitute
valuable information for the individual
farmer and open his eyes as TO ways and
means for saving in cost OF production.
The importance OF this inquiry is brought
home to the students Of agricultural condi-
tions In this country on account Of the
fact that It Is generally admitted that the
day OF cheap farm staples has gone. not 70
return. Farm values are tending upward.
Practically all the land now available il
in the arid belt and is 20 be brought under
cultlvat ion only by irrigation. which makes
the first cost OF the lands almost as high
per acre as il the land III the older aEricul-
tural districts. IL is asserted by the ex-
perts Of the department that the waste
upon American farms is prodigious. spe-
ciai attention must be paid 20 the econom-
les OF production II the industry of agri-
culture il to be accompanied by profitable
returns without such rapidly increasing
cost Of farm staples as 10 become a seri-
Gus burden upon the consuming public.
, Much attention IL paid 70 plans for saving
/ In the cost OF distributing staple commodi.
ties by efforts 10 hold down transpoFta-
ton rates. and Il IL the opinion of the gov
eminent experts that some material re-
suits may be obtained by more careful at
tention on the part OF the American farmer
to economy in production milwaukee Gen
tinsl