The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1914-01-10
PRINCIPAL OF FARM ACCOUNTING.
(By Geo. R. Tnford)

A generation ago the problem of the
average farmer was simple one He
grew most of the things ha needed and
those necessities he could not grow, he
received in trade from his village
grocer. He demanded but little money
as land was free and modern exchange
methods u1develoDed. Success in that
day was marked By his ability to chop
his own wood, cure his own meat, and
provide sufficient food for the winter.
But the days of our fathers have gone
and rushing in with the present gener-
alton comes inventions, the modern
factory methods and the introduction
of complicated machinery. Old ways
have surrendered themselves to spec
ia,ized processes. bringing about
wonderful changes in all vocations of
the human race, none of whom have
fell the disturbance more than the
farmer. As a result, the farme is
brought near the city. To a large ex-
tent country produce is sold and the
tiller of the land buys what he con-
sumes- All trade is intricate. more
money is needed to facilitate exchang-
es, and life becomes complex.
A quarter Of a century ago faith
was placed in the signs OF the zodiac,
conspiracies were formed with the
moon ard the opening of spring was
governed By the croak of the frog.
Such superstitiuns have passed, thanks
to the iniative of our agriculture
colleges and other educational institu-
tions. The fact is the modern farmer
is comp slled to be thinking, planning,
sc entific, exact business man. Wketh-
er he is aware of it or not, the Ameri-
can farmer has come into his own as a
factor in the development of affairs.
The time is at hand when the aeqaisi-
ton of Knowledge, wisdom and skill in
the daily and yearly conduct of the
farm business is an absolute necessity.
Az investigation of an average rural
community will reveal the fact that
there are comparatively few success
full farms; that there are many rated
as successful, while between these
two extremes there are many classes
eking out meager livelihood. When
the real reason for this is found. it will
be lack of skill and business acumen
on the part of the manager, rather
than a difference in soil, climate or
natural cause.
To meet these changed conditions
face to face in matter OF fact way ia
the problem of the business farmer.
Drawn and muscle may yet be an
essential in crop production, but it
nevertheless true that business sagacity
must be accorded higher place than
select, plan, layout, equip, organize
and develop piece of land, from year
to year, keeping the soil built up, is
the man who will be the most efficient
and consequently net the greatest re-
turn for his effort.
The subject Of Farm Accounts is OF
intense interest and of practicable
value. If followed persistentlY and
intelligeatIy farm bookkeeping will
throw light on the business of farming
in the same way that bank books re-
fleet the progress OF bank When 8
banker desires to know what his prof re
ara, be turns at once to the proper
sheet. The prafits of the farm are as
important as those of any commercial
institution, but they are not known
unless suff1 cient records are available,
AS has been said, farming is bust
ness, the same as managing a depart
ment sore or running q bank. How
ever, the ledgers, tally sheets and
other forms that are used in a bank OF
o 'her commercial institution would not
serve the purpose for recording farm
data. Each business requires special
forms which can be adapted TO its
needs. For the average farm two
classes of blanks must be devised.
First, blanks necessary to show the
cost Of every farm enterprise, or pro.
ject. Second, blanks suitable fol-
showing the net profits or net losses,
and the present worth of the farm aE
a whole.
Among the farm projects for which
cost records should be kept are the
following: Dairy, Poultry, Hogs,
Wheat Field No. 1, Kaffir, Personal
and Household Expenses, Farm Ex-
penses. Garden, Stock, Cattle, etc. II
records are not kept in this way the
continuous loss On one or two under