Study of haying jobs on 72 Vermont farms shows that how a man works is more important than what he works with. This is illustrated by the fact that on one farm the total time required to move hay from windrow to mow was 62 man-minutes of work per ton. Another farm required 313 man-minutes. The 10 farmers handling hay the fastest required 62 to 85 minutes a ton-and these 10 farmers used all types and combinations of equipment. True, method and equipment can eliminate some work as with the chopper or by using a barn mower-a tilting platform used to distribute hay in the mow. But every operator can find easier ways to use his existing equipment and can benefit by planning the harvesting job through, giving attention to the tracks and doors of the storage barn, and maintaining machinery in the best possible working order. It is important to know how to get the most out of existing tools. For poor operators, little is to be gained by purchasing complicated machinery. For each of the haying jobs some farmers using out-of-date equipment are able to beat the average operating time of operators using much more modern haying devices.

In studies of tobacco production and harvesting, improved methods that save from one-fourth to two-thirds of the labor previously required have been developed and tested for several important tasks. Tobacco jobs are largely repetitive, equipment is relatively simple, and labor requirements per acre with usual methods are great. In tobacco work, specific recommendations as to how the work should be done can have general application. The Kentucky studies of burley tobacco production have developed improved methods which result in per acre savings of about 10 hours in pulling plants; 11 hours in machine setting; 19 to 20 hours in priming; 20 to 40 percent in cutting and spearing; and 15 percent in housing and stripping. None of the improved methods involves costly equipment.

Significant improvements in methods of harvesting vegetable crops-celery, potatoes, tomatoes, green beans have been made by studying and improving commonly used practices. For example, in Colorado an improved method of cutting seed potatoes was developed that enables the average farm worker to cut 25 percent more seed potatoes in a day and do it easier than by any other disinfected knife or mechanical disk previously in use. Pathological tests have been completed that show that the new method is entirely satisfactory from a disease-control standpoint. The use of the method extends to any farmer a satisfactory method of controlling ring rot with an investment of only $10 to $20 in equipment. The method involves use of a stationary, vertical, double-edged knife attached to a specially designed gravity-feed cutting table.

In a Florida study of celery production, harvesting, and packing, improved methods resulting in an over-all saving up to about 40 percent in labor requirements were developed.

Another food processing study involving tomato-canning factory operations is also nearing completion. These two studies show that variations in efficiency and cost among processing and marketing organizations are about as great as among farms.

Where hand work, rather than mechanical methods of harvest, must still be used, increases in a worker's accomplishment of 5 to 40 percent have been achieved. Because conditions for doing field work are more uniform from farm to farm than with livestock, rather specific suggestions can be made. They are simple, make good common sense, and for the most part summarize what good, efficient workers do.

Arrange the job so that both hands can work. Equal, simultaneous use of both hands usually increases output by about 40 percent over use of one hand alone.

Keep both hands fairly close together for greater hand-eye coordination. Some jobs may be made easier by using the hands rhythmically.

Fill hands full before moving them to the container. As much as 70 percent of picking time is spent in moving fruit or vegetables from the plant to picking container.

Keep picking container-wagon, basket, bag, or bucket as close to the fruits or plants as possible to reduce hand and foot travel.

Use a picking container adapted to the job. For apple picking a lightweight picking bucket of full-box capacity attached to the worker with comfortable harness, speeds up the job and makes it easier. A detachable handle for the hamper makes tomato picking easier. And the use of a potato picking belt ( which supports a bag dragged between the worker's legs) has been found to increase the quantity of potatoes picked by as much as 30 percent.

Approach any hand-harvest job in an orderly fashion. Determine whether one or two rows should be picked at a time. Work over a plant ( cotton or tomato, for example) or fruit tree systematically to avoid reworking the same area several times.

Follow through and simplify the removal of the harvested crop from the field. Have adequate field roads. Arrange the picking path to have a full container when road or assembly area is reached.

Give inexperienced workers clear, complete instructions on how the job is to be done.

To summarize the results of the studies: It may be said that farmers seldom take time to save time. Yet the commercial farmer's time is becoming increasingly valuable as managerial requirements become more exacting. A man working with a hoe wastes no one's time but his own if he works inefficiently. But if inefficient methods tie up and delay the work of $5,000 worth of farm machinery, the time lost has a high dollar value. And with growing plants and animals timeliness often means the difference between success and failure, profit and loss. Anything that breaks the production sequence on a modern commercial farm creates losses at a rapid rate. That is why time invested in study and improvement of work methods may be among the most profitable hours put in by the farm manager.

In the improvement of any job, as in the examples cited, one or more of the following types of improvements may be made :

Physical work can be simplified through the use of easier body motions, fuller use of both hands, arrangement for less walking, stooping, lifting, and carrying, increased comfort and safety for workers, reduced hours, provision of rest periods, adjustments in crew size, integration of responsibilities of crew members, and better integration of man and machine work.

Equipment and lay-out can be changed by altering the kind or design of a machine tool or device to displace man labor or meet more economically the job requirements; relocating equipment, supplies, or facilities for better accessibility and greater convenience; rearranging building and fence locations and building interiors to decrease travel and permit improved work routines.

Production processes and practices may be changed by rescheduling certain jobs into less busy seasons, increasing the timeliness of crop and livestock operations, or otherwise altering production processes and practices for greater effectiveness.

This involves a study of practices, such as fall versus spring plowing, drilling versus checking corn, around-the-field versus back-and-forth planting, self-feeding versus hand feeding, hand stripping versus machine stripping of cows, and producing hogs on the one- or two-litter system.

Farm people need not wait for research workers to bring them suggestions for improved work methods. They can continue to develop many improvements themselves. Farmers should think about any job they do in terms of chances for improvement. just what should be accomplished? Why do it? Is there a good reason for doing each part of the job just as planned? How many hours of work, how much machinery expense, walking, carrying, or shoveling will this method require? Do neighbors do it easier or cheaper and at the same time do an equally good or better job?

Chances are that serious answers to questions like these will reveal that some easier, better ways are already known. Some of the things we do serve no useful purpose. They may be holdovers from old methods of other jobs. Past experience, tradition, and the way Dad did it are all helpful guides if they do not prevent our keeping up-to-date on improved methods and equipment.

Because no two farms are exactly alike, no master plan or schedule of work will fit every farm. Each farmer must work out for himself the easiest, least expensive way of getting his jobs done properly and on time. Studies such as those reported above help; the pamphlets listed at the end of this article might also be useful. To improve methods on your own:

Figure out just what you now do and how you now do it. Note your accomplishment, time, and cost.

Compare your methods and accomplishments with others. Make a point of observing how neighbors do their field and chore work, how they arrange their barns and care for their livestock. You probably have been too busy doing your own work to see how others do theirs. Go visiting.

Question the details of your work method for chances to eliminate and rearrange, reduce man or machine travel, and avoid practices that cause delay and waste time. Strive for greater comfort for the worker. Relocate tools and supplies for convenience.

Apply the results of your analysis. Give yourself time to become reasonably familiar with the changed procedure so that the new method has a fair trial. Then go ahead to improve another job.

THE AUTHORS E. C. Young is dean of the Graduate School and professor of agricultural economics at Purdue University. Dr. Young has made significant research and teaching contributions in farm management, agricultural prices, and agricultural finance during his 25 years of work in this field. Research in farm work simplification was initiated and carried forward under his supervision and guidance as Director of the National Farm Work Simplification Project.

L. S. Hardin is assistant professor of agricultural economics at Purdue University. Dr. Hardin's principal area of work is research and teaching in farm management and work simplification.