Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1922-04-25
BUSINESS CONSIDERATIONS
FOR FARMERS

The farmer has a never-ending Sc
rles Of business problems requiring
MS care and attention. One reason
probably why the labor income OF
the average farm is relatively low is
because of the failure on the part
OF the public as a rule to appreciate
the fact that agriculture is bust
ness. It is even more than that, it
Is complicated profession. Those
engaging in it need the most varied
sort of information. They must
possess lot Of scientific facts. They
must nave read widely in order to
De acquainted with market condi'
ions at home and abroad. Agricul-
lure in the United States is not any
longer a local business, but is invest
eo with an environment which is
worldwide IN it's functioning. With
tnls vision of the industry in our
minds we are better able to realize
why business practices must be in
stltuted and followed out on the
farm in order to insure a substantial
increase in the labor income of the
average operator. The accomplish
ment of this end is, of course, basic
TO the development of a happy and
permanently prosperous rural popu-
lation.
The farmer who would succeed
must therefore give attention and
consideration to the keeping of &C.
counts of his proceedings. Unless
this is done he will be very much
like the senator from Alabama, who
was reported to have inquired,
Where are we at?" It is equally
certain that the success attained in
the cultivation Of his crops will be
materially increased if he selects the
seed he plants with skill and care
and chooses those varieties best
adapted to his local environment. He
must of necessity have fair supply
or farm machinery in order to carry
forward his operations successfully.
There are a number of points in con-
nectlon with the purchase and util-
ization of this machinery which he
should always keep in mind. Some
points to which special consideration
and attention should be given at this
time along the lines indicated have
been recently summarized by Profs.
alexander, Summerour and Wingate.
Let us give consideration and careful
attention to these recommendations.
They will help us to put our farm
practice in 1922 on a more efficient
basis.
Until the farmer realizes the i'm
portance of keeping farm accounts
he will never be able to compete with
the class Of men we call business
men. When the farmer does keep
these records and, by this means,
knows what thing has cost him
to produce it as compared with
what it brings him, then it is moth
ing more than just to call him a
business man along with the bank.
erS and merchants.
A business man will not handle an
article at a loss, and this loss is
pointed out by the account book.
The farmer, to be business like,
should not grow a crop nor raise
stock at loss, and the account book
will point out just what line Of
work you are losing money on.
The books given you will aid you
In keeping a general farm account,
and let me urge you that records
be made the same day the transac-
ton takes place.
The inventory as the beginning
of the year will show you what
you had to begin with, and the in
ventory at the end of the year will
show you what you have after the
crop year has passed. The differ.