The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1921-01-14
lneHiciency and Efficiency-Extreme
Types but True Ones.

Types but True Ones.
these same farmers could make more
money with higher yields. Profits in
crease at least until yields are OBJ
tanned considerably above the aver
age for the region, but beyond this
limit very high yields are liable to he
Detained at the expense Of farm prof
it's
Quality of Live Stock Important.
On farms where live stock is an i'm
portant enterprise, the quality of the
stock is very important. On a ma ior-
lty Of farms, except in the South and
certain of the Western states, more of
the crops are fed to live stock than
are sold direct. On many farms the
animals are the market for the crops,
hence the production of these is a
most important factor i'm farm profits.
The best of corn and hay crops will
count for little when fed to animals
that make returns below the market
prices for these crops. On the other
hand, good live stock on the individual
farms may not be profitable if not fed
and cared for economically.
The exceedingly diverse nature of
farm operations makes wide oppOrtun-
tty for inefficiency to enter into their
performance. In factory with mod
ern machinery man is expected to do
a certain amount of work, and in
many Instances the machine sets the
pace for him Generally the worker
on the farm must be his own boss and
must set his own pace. He must also
work under most adverse weather con-
diti0ns at certain times. Often a
great deal of work must be devoted
to things which add little or nothing
to the profits of the business. 1t re-
qulreS twice as much time for some
men as compared with others to do
certain kind of work. Work NAV also
be so organized that a given amount
of effort accOmplishes more than the
average. The efficient use of horse
labor is also very important and bears
Il close relation to size of business.
On the one-man farm the horses must
necessarily be unemployed every time
the farmer finds it necessary to 90
work not requiring horse labor. On
the larger farms the work can be so
arranged as to have one man keep tie
horses busy while others attend to
the work where horse labor is not
needed.
WeiI-saIanced Farm Profitable.
4 well-balanced farm business is
nearly always profitable. The farms
that are as good or better than tie |
average of their community in all four
of the factors here mentioned seldom |
fail to make a good profit. Thus, if |
a farm is devoted to a type OF farm |
ing adopted to its conditions, if it is |
as good or better than the average in !
size of business. yield of crops. pruduc- |
ton of live stock, and efficiency in the |
use of labor, and is adequately and |
economically equipped, it is almost |
certain to be profitable. The weak
est factor is the one that needs atten-
ton in improving the business. If the
quality of the live stock is high, great
ar Improvement in the farm business
can usually be obtained by devoting |
attention to developing the size of the
business or sale of cash crops, or in
labor efficiency. rather than
~ further improving the quality of
i've stock.
The Department of Agriculture has
'ecently prepared bulletin" A Meth
'd of Analysing the Farm Business"
which contains valuable information
;Or farmers who wish TO organize their
operations on an economic basis. This
bulletin and other printed matter on
he subject may be had by interested
persons free.