The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-09-10
FARMERS WILL
KNOW COST Of
THEIR CROPS

Washington Sept 1O.-There is soon TO
be issued from the department OF agrl-
culture the detailed results OF an investi-
cation showing the cost OF producing
many OF the farm staples in the country
notably corn and cotton.
This IS the first attempt by the depart
ment 10 make an investigation along these
lines. and much interest Is manifested IN
Il by the economists and statisticians who
believe that Il Is the beginning or the
most important and valuable work that
has been performed by the department.
From my view OF the subject. the sec
rotary of agriculture Is I'm "a certain sense
the steward OF the great body OF nus
bandmen I'm Uncle Sans domain SAID
an official OF the department, who has
had long practical experience In the de-
tailed operations OF agricultural invesi-
CATION What better work could the
steward be engaged in than i'm ascser,ain-
ing what II costs to produce the articles
which enter into farm results so that
the farmer may have before him guide
for his future plans I'm obtaining the best
returns 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
devote too much attention 20 collecting
information I'm regard 20 the quantity we
produce and where we sell II. Criticism
was made upon the department for the
attention IL gives 10 collecting statistics
that are alleged 20 be utilized TO large
extent In the speculative market
'It is desirable that the former should
know how much OF given crop has been
produced in this and all other countries.
L. no doubt is "A help TO him In Judging
OF the correctness OF current market
prices. But it would be infinitely better
II this farmer had more accurate infor-
nation with regard 10 what II has cost
him to produce the crop that he has har-
vested"
This discussion Of an interesting fea-
ture OF governmental investigation was
followed by other inquiries into what in
formation the government possesses In re-
gard TO the cost OF producing farm sta
pies. The experts OF the department have
ideas on the subject, and. given "A state
ment OF existing condition, such as the
value OF lands I'm a given location. they
are able to figure out. approximately,
what the cost OF producing the principal
farm staples per acre should be In that
locality.
The impression prevails, however that
comparatively few farmers I'm the country
have anything like actual knowledge OF
what II costs 10 produce even the princi-
pal products OF their own farms. Their
attention is devoted almost exclusively 10
producing n crop. and. wanting in ac-
counts OF the elements OF cost which
enter into production, they have no means
OF saving In the cost OF production for
It's influence upon profits
IL is believed that the Investigations
which the department is now making
upon number or farms IN the country.
and which will give practical results.
with land values. labor cost value OF
machinery employed, rent, interest taxes.
and all elements which enter into the cost
o. producing farm staples. will furnish
information for the individual farmer, and
open his eyes 10 ways and means for saw
ing in cost OF production.
The Importance OF this inquiry Is
brought home 10 the students OF agricu-
tural conditions I'm this country on ac-
count OF the fact that Ii is generally
admitted that the day OF cheap farm sta
pies has gone. not to return. Farm values
ere tending upward Practically all land
now available is IN the arid belt, and IL
Is 10 be brought under cultivation only
by Irrigation, which makes the first cost
OF the farm lands almost as high per acre
as is land In the older agricultural dis
tricts
IL Is asserted by the experts OF the do
pBrtment that the waste upon American
farms Is prodigious Special attention
must be paid TO the economics OF pro-
auction III the industry or aBflcu. nre is
TO be accompanied by profitable returns.
Without such rapidly increasing cost Of
farm staples as 20 become n serious bur
den upon the consuming public
Much attention is paid 20 plans for saw
ing I'm the cost OF distributing staple com
modities. by attempts at holding down
transportation rates, and II is the opinion
OF the government experts that material
results may be obtained by more careful
"A IL a nf IN N
farmer TO economy I'm production.