A Botanical and Economic Study. 



193 



Distribution and Consumption of Maize, 1891. 



Suppose the supply of maize required for consumption in 

 New England to fall below the quantity raised, which may 

 happen, since in New England maize is a minor crop. The 

 deficiency is met by drawing upon the regions where there is 

 a surplus of maize, which will be where it is grown most ad- 

 vantageously as a major crop. The price is regulated by the 

 cost at the locality where it is raised at the greatest disad- 

 vantage. The farmer in District A disposes of his major 

 crop at the same rate which prevails in District D, where the 

 product is grown as a minor crop at a greater relative disad- 

 vantage. Likewise, the farmer B derives from his major 

 crop what the farmer C obtains for it. An equalizing and 

 compensatory action, therefore, is established in agricultural 

 production. 



Crops. 



+ 2b + 3C 



4d + 5e = '5 X - 



b -f 2c + 3d + 4e : 

 + 5b + 4C + 2d e : 



+ 3b + c + 5d + 4e = 



+ 2b + 5c + 3d 4- e : 



Legend — a = b = c = d = e = x; x = unit of usefulness (utility). 

 Figures and letters in heavy-faced type indicate major crops. 



The above diagram represents the national system of agri- 

 culture. The algebraic letters indicate the separate crops 



15X. 



15X. 



I 5 X. 



15.x. 



