The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1910-05-12


the counties Of the state New York;
we did not find one man who knew
how much it cost him to produce milk
or to raise any Of his crops"
Numerous systems Of farm book
keeping have been proposed. but the
either too complicated or altogether
impractical. A farmer is both a pro
Queer and dealer. He needs financial
records as complete as the average
merchant and cost records as accurate
as the manufacturer. But the records
hand. The ordinary bookkeeping will
not apply.
The Simplest Method.
A daybook and bill file are all
that is absolutely required on farm,
though, as will be seen later, better
results may be obtained by additional
records.
The most important record in any
method Of bookkeeping is the day
book, or what might properly be call
ed the history Of the farm. This
should be written in the form of a
diary, without attempting a close
be remembered always, however. that
it is safer to give too much rather
than too little information in the rec
Ords. The daybook should contain
any memoranda which might prove
valuable for future reference. Condi-
lions OF the weather, time of planting,
breeding, division of fields, sales, pur-
chases, loans. attendance at conven-
lions, valuable recipes, etc, are proper
subjects for entry. Though it is ad-
possible. 1t is unnecessary to spend
much time for that purpose. 1t Is
more convenient TO jot down items III
lead pencil as they come along and
then as time allows classify them un-
der their respective heads. suitable
| daybook may be had at a nominal
price at any bookstore. Figs / and
| illustrate the use of this book.
The inventory may be considered
the most important document among
the farm records, because without it
no results at all can be obtained. Ii
should be taken at such a time as will
give the most accurate results with
the least expenditure OF labor. This
differs widely in different localities
Jan. ! seems the most natural begin
ming Of the fiscal year, but the objec-
ton Is that at this time there is apt to
be large quantity of feed and sup
plies on hand.
April / would be a better date sc
far as the stock on hand is concerned
but inconvenient i'll many localities Oh
account of the pressure OF spring
work. Whenever ii is taken 1t should
be accurate. No guesswork should be
tolerated. Weigh and count. DO moi
estimate. Then assign the actual mar
ket value TO the property, taking due
account Of depreciation.
Neither an old wagon nor an old
horse Is worth as much as new ones
The same holds true with very few
exceptions of all equipment, animals
houses and Improvements. The ques
ton as to what rate shall be charged
Off annually so as TO create sinking
fund with which to renew the deple
ton has been an open question with
accountants since time immemorial. II
is particularly difficult to determine
the depreciation of live stock, work
horses and depletion of the fertility OF
the soil. Without entering into a dis
cussion of the subject give below the
experience and opinion of the best au
thorities. The thoughtful farmer will
Ind no difficulty in adjusting these
rates to suit his conditions. For the
purpose OF general estimates the fol