Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1922-02-17
INTEREST SHOWN
IN BOOKKEEPING
Farmers Recognize Necessity of
Business Methods To
Success

al opinion can be formed from the
successful meetings on farm bookkeep-
ing held at Glen Flora, Walrath. Bruce
the Benson school, and at Ladysmith
the past few days, by John S. Donald
Of the College OF Agriculture, and Coun-
ty Agent Schoepf. Great interest has
been aroused and a large proportion
of those attending the meetings have
bought Wisconsin Farm Record books
with the intention of keeping an eye
on their business for 1922.
Mr.. Donald, who was raised on the
farm. seventeen miles from Madison,
and who still operates the farm his
grandfather settled on in 1855, is in
position to give sound advice on one
of the farmers biggest problems today.
The following is taken from his talk:
mo business man is successful with
out records. My grandfather prepared
everything for themselves. He even
made his Shoes shaving mug and shay
ing brush. The farmer nova days is
merchant, for he sells what he raises
and buys what he needs. But the bus
mess end Of farming, except for the
help the banks have given on checking
accounts is very nearly where it was
in grandfather's time.
why not government protection?
We know the dissatisfaction of Kan
sas farmers two years ago, because the
Mt orn,, TOR nil
wheat. A few years ago the milk pro-
ducers of Elgin and distributors of Chi
cago appeared before commission to
settle their dispute on prices for milk.
The farmers gave costs of production
from SLIGO to $500 a hundred Could
the farmers expect a square deal with
such a variation in estimates. They
didn't know the facts.
fore a group Of commercial secretaries
assembled at Madison in answer to a
request from this body on what can be
done for the farmer. Mr.. Luther stat
ed that the wheat the farmer received
$2.26 for, the consumer was buying
at $1100 bushel in the form of bread.
The spread is too great. Mr.. Luther
was given the following reply: 1.-THE
people must buy or starve, ii the farm
er don't get his share, its his own fault
he has first chance The farmer
can only have the sympathy of the bus
mess man and the government when
he has facts He must keep books to
get facts
Mr.. Donald gives as one of the great
causes of the failure of farm Organiza-
tons the failure Of the farmers to keep
books and to know facts of their bus
mess. The members think things, lack
facts such as cost Of production, sus-
picion appears and the farm organiza-
ton goes to pieces. The only way TO
act together, work together, and not
be suspicious of one another is to get
basis facts such as costs Of production,
handling Of crops, etc. They must be
ready to sell for fair profit. Many
farmers hang on to their crops too long
because for of lack of bookkeeping,
they do not know a fair offer.
The marketing commission of the
state is lame because it is not able to
get facts on cost of production. How
ever. they are now working on sys-
tematic plan of getting cost facts from
the farmers.
= Uniformity in farm bookkeeping is
great need. Farmers can thus work to-
gether better-the system can be put
through the school. Simplicity is an
other. The Wisconsin Farm Record
book put out for cost, which is only 90
cents. is the book that serves this pur-
pose. The College of Agriculture IS
continually looking for improvements
and suggestions from the farmers on
this book. Also the college is sending
out extension workers to help farmers
Oh this system
It is not fair to ask the farmers to
STAY on the land unless they can get
fair returns. Children must see as
good returns as in other lines of ell
deayor or they will not stay on the
farms. We need to see the children
have opportunities. Keeping books
learning costs, and eventually raising
the standards on the farms will assist
greatly in keeping their children on the
farms.
The merchant today has an account
for each person. In the Wisconsin
Record book effort has been made TO Go
the same thing by leaving a page for
each account. The book has place
for q map of the farm. which Is OF
great value in noting rotations, lime
and fertilizer applications, another
page takes care of dates OF seeding
harvest, and yields, which is OF more
value each succeeding year. for 1t gives
the farmer dates. and data that are
of prime importance in farm manage
ment. feed and stock to buy, etc.
The county agent has the books ana
will be glad to give assistance in get
ting start on farm bookkeeping i'll the
wisconsin Farm Record book. the price
Of which is so cents.
ON THE ANXIOUS SEAT