Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-01-19


money which the average farmer re-,
ceives for his years work is little more
than that which he would be paid if he
hired himself out as farm hand to one
Of his neighbors. In other words.
though the farmer is in business for
himself, the average farmer gets little
or on money peword for the intelligence
and skill with which he has managed his
affairs or the risk and responsibility he
has assumed. But he must get some
thing in return or no one would trouble
20 farm for himself. A recent study
conducted by experts in the United
States Department of Agriculture shows
that in many cases this reward may
best be found IN the products with which
his farm furnishes him directly. When
a farm is nearly, if not quite, self-SGs-
tanning, say agricultural experts, when
it supplies the family that lives upon it
with most Of the necessities OF life, a
large money income IS not necessary to
prosperity. :, greater sum derived from
a farm which yields nothing for home
consumption may leave the occupants
much worse off.
Under the title of Farmers Bulletin
6S5 What The Farrl/ Contributes Di-
rectly to tie Farmers Living the De-
partnert o. agriculture is about 10
publish the results Of a survey of con-
ditions on & large number of farms in
tire ten States Of North Carolina. Geor-
s;a. Texas, Kansas, Iowa, Wisconsin.
ONO Pennsylvania. New York, and
Vermont. The farms selected for study,
thou.h possibly a little more prosper
GUS than the average were fairly rep
reser -at;ve Of their sections which, it
will be noted. included three com and
cotton areas, two States in the corn
ard wheat belt, two regions where gen
( eTal farming was carried on and three
different dairy districts. The average
value Of the chief necessities of life
food, fuel, Oil, and sheiter--used each
year by the farm family the Investigate
ors found 20 be s505.0S. OF these neces-
sites. estimated in money. the portion
contributed directly by the farm was
si2l.1-. leaving Sl73al to be purchased
with the cash obtained from the sale Of
products. IN considering these figures
it must be remembered that if the far
rner had been compelled 90 Pay city
prices for his home grown necessities.
this SELL. would have represented much
less comfort.
If the food consumed 63 per cent was
furnished by the farm. This proportion
varied greatly in the different sections
but ras greatest in the locality studied
in North Carolina. where the ;arms sup
piled s2.1 per cent of the food consumed
while the average in the New York To-
C2lty was only 50.4. In view OF the pres
ent economic crisis III the South this
/ fact is regarded as Of particular sgni-
flcance since it demonstrates the extent
to which With a proper system o. agri-
culture Southern farms can be made
sef-sustaining. Concentration upon one
cash crop. cotyo,l. has proved disastrous
, and agricultural authorities are now
trying in every way t. INDUCE the people
10 .dort a system which will lead to
conditions similar to those now pre-
vailns in this particular area of North
Carolina.
In this connection the Investigation re-
veaied some Interesting facts III regard
10 the four items OF groceries, animal
products, fruits, ard vegetables in the
average farm fanily's food bill. OF the
value of the food consumed groceries
constituted practically one-quarter, ami
NAL products more than one-nalf. vege-
tables lis per cent and fruit only 81.
! Practically all of the groceries We're
bought: on the other hand the quantity
of fruits and vegetables used was in di-
rect proportion TO the quantity raised
on the farm ana where this quantity
was great the grocery bill was CORE
spondingly low. This was also found to
De true OF animal products, including
OF course not only butchers meat. hut
poultry, eggs, milk, cheese. etc. Where
these were abundant on the farm fever
groceries were purchased. Since the
grocery bill was found 10 be ordinarily
two-thirds OF the entire amount expend-
ed in cash for food. one very obvious
and effective way OF economizing ap-
pears TO be, to raise more vegetables,
more fruit. more milk and eggs IL
many cases. experts say. this can be
done with no apn-eciab!e increase il
trouble or expense.
Next to food, shelter is probably the
most important necessity of life. In
considering the farmers income. now
! ever. d common error in the past has
been to ignore the question of house
f, rent. The value OF the house has usu-
ally been included in the value OF the
| land and the whole considered as capital
| Invested on which interest must be PAID
/ before the farmer can he regarded as
| receiving any Fay at all. This method
! however, assumes that the farm family
| is TO have shelter for NOTTINGHAM as
| sumption wh2h the city worker with
| whom 1t is Tot unusual to pay out from
| oEe-third 10 one-duarter of his entire
| wages for rent alone would regard a.
mos: astonishing.
! According to the recent investigation
/ if the average farmer had 10 pay rent
his home would cost him 1925 year
| This figure represents 10 per cent of the
| value Of the average house. Including
/ interest. depreciation and repairs, this
! is regarded as fair rental charge 70,
I the class OF houses usually found on Tire
| farm.
! With the information at their COM
nand, the investigators were also in q
! position to compute the average cost OF
board and lodging on the farm. In this
they included an item very easily for
| gotten-the value of the house work
performed by members OF the family
| This was reckoned on the basis of the
wages that would have had to be paid
| for hired assistance. Including this
with the more obvious charges for food