The farm operator has alternative means of obtaining control of resources. These several means, allow him to use the services of resources in the production process and to acquire income for his own family in the process of producing foods and fibers for other consumers. The alternative means of obtaining control of resources and use of production services include; ownership, borrowing of capital, renting through cash and share arrangements and exchange of services through trading work and machinery with his neighbors.

The method of obtaining control of resources and the use of resource services thus become important problems in farm management and production economics. What method will allow the individual farm manager the greatest income from the funds he controls? What method allows the most efficient use of resources from the standpoint of the over-all economy? This study is one of a series dealing with leases in relation to farming efficiency; it is directed at answering these over-all economic questions.