CHAPTER I
THE BUSINESS OF FARMING
SoMEONE has said that farming should be only one-half grow-
ing of crops and the other half business. Too often the producer is
guilty of poor management, poor marketing, fails to keep accounts
and records, and is a poor business man in other ways.
Increases in prices of land, the invention of new implements,
the advent of tractors and other gas motors and the increased cost
of labor, all demand that the farmer give more attention to the
business side of his enterprise.
A High Calling.—Modern farming demands men with good
education, good business training, and those in every way prepared
for their chosen work. Fundamental sciences should be well under-
stood. A knowledge of plant and animal life, principles of breed-
ing, and improvement, a knowledge of world affairs and a clear
insight into market conditions, skill in farm operations and me-
chanical manipulation, close business application, steadiness and
willingness to do the right thing at the proper time, attention to
details, physical strength and endurance, courage to venture, con-
fidence in the future—such is the call of the modern farm, which
can be heard in all parts of America.
Getting Started in Farming.—The pursuit of farm projects
while attending school is one of the best ways of securing training
under the guidance of good instructors. Methods, skills, and appli-
cations of principles are thus learned and they should be learned
well. But after this, how are you to get possession of a farm to
apply your knowledge and training? Several plans present them-
selves: (1) Renting a farm on shares or on cash payments to be
made at the end of the year; (2) borrowing capital for the pur-
chase of a farm; (3) following some other calling and using it
as a stepping stone to farming; (4) running the home place on
shares or as one of the heirs or while making a home for yourparents.
The renting plan has many attractions to the beginner and
if the farmer is determined to succeed and to purchase that or some
other farm, he is likely to succeed when he starts this plan. Too
often, however, he is satisfied to remain a renter all his life, never
gets ahead and never has a place of his own. He learns to depend
upon the capital of the landlord for operating expenses or he starts
the credit system of living. The tale from there on is a woeful one.
