Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1924-01-30

lSIu, CIlldllC1pdGSS DInlSSlI from
mediocrity and makes a big i'm
provement in not only his fnan-
cial standing but his position in
the community.
Variation in Costs.
The variation in cost of produc-
ton between different farmers Of
ten far exceeds the variation in
the market value of any single
crop. For instance, the cost of
producing milk, as determined by
our cost of production studies, is
far greater than the variation
which is to be observed in differ
ent markets at the same time.
One is apt to find fault with the
market and charge that the low
price to the producer is caused by
the manipulation of the few,
whom he thinks are in control
of the ch annels of distri-
button. Nearby conditions which
are often very largely under our
own control are ignored 1t is
easier to rail at a more remote
evil that, as individuals, we may
be powerless to change.
Necessity of Records.
This leads to a most important
need of farming, the necessity of
maintaining farm records that
will enable the operator to know
definitely whether he is making
a profit, or suffering a loss on
the different phases of his farm
business. Running a farm with
out records is like running a
clock without hands; in motion,
it is true, but it tells you nothing.
The manufacturer knows he could
not borrow money at the bank to
carry his purchases if his accur-
ate cost accounting system did
not tell him and his banker at
any moment what his production
costs are. He knows he must
meet competition in merchandise
ing; he also knows that he would
be like mariner on an uncharted
sea, if he were selling his goods
without definite knowledge of
what his merchandise cost him.
The farmer is no less manu-
facturel: it is just as indispens-
able that he too knows his costs
of producing milk, livestock and
grain crops to keep his financial
course charted. In fact more So
for the farmer is less able to con-
troll the prices he gets for his fin
nished product than the industrial
manufacturer. Consequently his
chance for increased profits, if
any, rests more particularly in
lowering his own Individual costs
of production to less than the av-
lerage.
Efficient Marketing.
More and more the farmer sees
that his work is not done when
the crop is grown. We are past
the days of barter. Modern com
merce demands that one man dis
pose Of the results of his labor
for cash and with that cash he
purchases those things he needs
| All producers, whether agricultur-
al or industrial are therefore
keenly interested in the processes
of marketing and merchandising
With the farmer, will it be CO.
operative or not? 1t is not essen
tial which plan is followed; but
it is essential that marketing be
efficient. The extra and often the
unnecessary links in the distribu-
tive chain are the main cause for
the spread between the producer
and the consumer. More and more
the farmer is learning the mar
keting problem himself; and for
that reason cooperative marketing
is making rapid Roadway at pres
ent. But cooperative marketing is
no cure-all. 1t too must operate
under the same sound business
principles as corporate business
if it is going to replace the old
order of things, but it is very un-
likely that it will ever displace in
large measures the existing ma
chinery. If it teaches the pro-
ducer better business methods it
is we'll worth the effort; for a
more considerate understanding of
the problem of both the producer
and distributor by each other will
help to produce better relation
ships.
COntented Homes.
No program, agricultural or 9TH
erwise, is complete unless it ends
in better home. Farming or bus