Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1917-11-02
NEW FARM ACCOUNT
BOOK READY SOON
BERGSTROM GETS 7j FROM THE
STATE COLLEGE FOR LOCAL
FARMERS.


strom has just received word that his
request for copies of the new Farm
Record book, published by the extern
sion service of the State College Of
Washington, will be one of the first
filled this fall. Mr.. Bergstrom says
that this book has been explained to
him and his request for a number for
distribution in this county shows that
he believes in this kind of work.
Investigations carried on by tho
State College show that most farm
ers keep some kind of accounts. but
too often the record is confined to .
diary kept in book ruled for other
form of records, Mr.. Bergstrom says.
On most farms the records kept are
not easy to summarize at the end Of
the year and therefore farmers do
not realize much benefit from keep
ing them. This is the real reason for
the lack of good farm accounts. No
man disputes the value of an accu-
rate farm record but without a suit
able farm account book most farmers
feel that farm accounts are very DIFF
ficult to keep.
No Suitable Books in Past.
In the past it has been very diff
cult for farmers to obtain suitable
books for farm records. Account
books for the exclusive uso OF farm
ers are not for sale. During the past
year the State College of Washington
has needed the requests from farm
ers, county agricultural agents and
others and has printed limited num-
Der of new kind of farm record
book for trial. These books are en-
tirely different from any other sys-
tenn of farm accounts that the county
agent has ever seen used. By this
system the farm business is kept
entirely separate from the personal
and household expenses. Its use en-
ables the farmer to deal with his
business in much the same way that
merchants and bankers deal with
theirs. Neither of these business
men mix personal and household
with other business.
The best measure of the success of
the farming business is the financial
return to the farmer. The measure
used for determining this return II
called the farmers labor income. The
labor income is the money left after
all farm expenses, including the de-
probation on buildings and ma
chinery, and the interest on the cap
ital invested in the farming business
is deducted. 1t is the purpose Of this
book to provide form so that the
labor income may be easily figured at
the end of the year and that the farm
record may be kept in form so that
the farmer may study 1t and see the
weak as we'll as the strong points Of
his farm business.
Is for This County.
Farm accounts differ materially
from accounts kept by stores and
DdukS, LII tudJ w yC0AAy
business while most stores and banks
do daily or monthly business. 1t
follows, then, that the double entry
systems used in stores and banks are
not adapted to the needs of farmers.
The allotment of this new farm &C
count book for Thurston county Is
only IS copies. The books are free
to farmers who care to use them.
Fifteen have already been spoken for
and while first come first served"
will hold good, it is hoped that only
farmers who really wish to give this
form of farm accounts fair trial
will apply for the account books.
The books will be ready for distribu-
ton the third week in November.
and Mr.. Bergstrom hopes to have r.
N. Miller of the extension service,
Pullman, during that week to assist
farmers in making the opening In
voice, or inventory.