The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1915-01-04
THE FARMERS REAL INCOME,
Results of Investigations in 10 States
Told.

Extensive Investigations into the prof.
its of farming have indicated that the
amount OF money which the average
farmer receives for his years work is ut
tie more than that which he would be
paid if he hired himself out as farm
hand TO one Of his neighbors. In othei
words, though the farmer is in business
for himself, the average farmer gets NJ
tie or no money reward for the intelil-
gence and skill with which he has man
aged his affairs or the risk and response
bility he has assumed. But he must get
something in return or no one Would
trouble to farm for himself recent
study conducted by experts IN the United
States department Of agriculture shows
that in many cases this reward may pest
be found in the products with which ms
farm furnishes him directly. When
farm is nearly, if not quite, eli-sustaln
ing, say agricultural experts, when II
supplies the family that lives upon u
with most OF the necessities OF HE,
large money income is not necessary 70
prosperity. A greater sum derived from
a farm which yields nothing for nome
consumption may leave the occupants
much worse off
Under the title of Farmers Bulletin
635. "What the Farm Contributes Di-
rectly to the Farmers Living" the de-
partment of agriculture is about to pub
fish the results of a survey OF condl-
lions on large number OF farms III the
10 states of North Carolina, Georgia,
Texas Kansas. Iowa, Wisconsin, ONO,
Pennsylvania, New York, and Vermont.
The farms selected for study. though
possibly a little more prosperous thah
the average were fairly representative
of their sections. which it will be noted,
included three corn and cotton areas
two states in the corn and wheat belt,
two regions where general farming was
carried on and three different dairy DIS
tricts. The average value OF the chiei
necessities of life food, fuel, oil and
shelter--used each year by the farm fam
lilly, the investigators found to be So9o.oo'
OF these necessities, estimated in mon
ey, the portion contributed directly by
the farm was S42l.l7, leaving Sl73ol
to be purchased with the cash obtained
from the sale of products. In consider
ing these figures it must be remembered
that il the farmer had been compelled
TO paw city prices for his homegrown
necessities, this $42l.l7 would have rep
resented much less comfort.
OF tho food consumed, 90 per cent was
furnished By the farm. This proportion
varied greatly in the different sections
but was greatest in the locality studied
| In North Carolina, where the farms sup
piled s2.3 per cent OF the food consumed,
while the average in the New York To-
cality was only 50.4. In view OF the
present economic crisis in the South tins
fact is regarded as Of particular signlfl-
canoe, since it demonstrates the extent
to which a proper system OF agriculture
southern farms can be made self-sns'
tanning. Concentration upon one cash
crop cotton, has proved disastrous ana
agricultural authorities are now trying
in every way to induce the people TO
adopt a system which will lead TO con-
ditions similar to those now prevailing
in this particular area Of North Caro-
lima.
In this connection the investigation re-
vealed some interesting facts in regard
10 the four items OF groceries. animal
products. fruits, and vegetables in the
average farm family's food bill. OF the
value OF the food consumed groceries
constituted practically one-quarter, ami
NAL products more than one-half, Nege-
tables ll6 per cent and fruit only 6.3.
Practically all of the groceries were
/ bought on the other hand the quantity
OF fruits and vegetables used was IN d..
| rect proportion TO the quantity raised
on the farm and where this quantity
was great the grocery bill was CORE
s,ondinglv low. This was also found TO
/ be true OF animal products, including OF
course not only butchers meat. but poui-
try, eggs. milk, cheese, etc. Where these
were abundant on the farm fewer gro
ccries were purchased. Since the grocery
I bill was found 20 be ordinarily two
thirds Of the entire amount expended in
cash for food, one very obvious and et-
fective way Of economizing appears TO be
TO raise more vegetables, more fruit, more
milk and eggs. In many cases, expects
say, this eau be done with no appre-
cable increase IN trouble or expense.
i Next TO food, shelter Is probably the
most important necessity Of life. I'm con-
siderinQ the farmers income. however.
common error in the past has been e
+ ignore the question Of house rent. The
value Of the house has usually been in
cluded in the value Of the land and the
whole considered a. capital invested on
which interest must be paid before the
I farmer can b. regarded a. receiving any
pay AZ an. This method, however, az
sumes that the farm family j. 20 have
shelter for nothing an assumption which
the CITY worker with whom Il II not un-
usual 10 pay out from one third to one
quarter Of bis entire wages for rent
alone would regard a. most astonishing.
I According h. the recent investigation,
Z II the average farmer bad 20 pay rent,
I DE- home would cost him sl25 a year.
This figure represents 10 per cent Of the
value oi the average house. Including
interest. depreciation and repairs. this
3. regarded a. q fair rental charge for
the class 81 houses usually found On the
farm
With the information - their com
nmuf. the investigators were also u .
{ position % compute the average cost #
board and ia8cing ou the farm. ln tbs
uav ihey ualuded ~ item very easily
forrotten size value Of tie hou-e work
Performed 81 mfmtars q the family.
This vas rnfkuur1 ou the has.s nf TIRE
uares tltat would have bad Cd D. paid
far hr-rd assista aas. Including thi- WITH
tfs -15sa-s satlt5aaa .1.arvaz fnr food furi