528 Circular No. 5. 



financial conditions of the farms, {2) the crops grown on them, and (j) 

 the methods used. By a tabulation of the results a reasonably good 

 estimate of trucking practice on eastern Long Island is possible. 



Only a partial result of the survey is set forth in this circular. Com- 

 plete tables with averages and statistical estimates are expected to be 

 made public in a later bulletin. The results here given and the methods 

 advocated are among the more evident facts brought out by the com- 

 putations of the survey and the field observations of the writer. 



The area covered by the survey was from Orient Point westward to 

 a point beyond Riverhead. Complete statements were secured concern- 

 ing 213 farms, and partial statements from many others. The facts 

 used in this circular are based upon the 213 complete reports. 



CROP SYSTEMS AND ECONOMIC CONSIDERATIONS 



Double-crop systems. From Orient village to Orient Point a two-crop- 

 per-year system is very generally practiced. In the other districts sur- 

 veyed a double-crop system is rare. That the double-crop system pays 

 is shown by the balance sheets of the Orient farms, which gave in gen- 

 eral a greater net return per acre than any other section surveyed. While 

 it is true the that greater profit may not have been produced wholly 

 by the two-crop system, yet it has been clearly demonstrated that a well- 

 managed two-crop system pays well. Indeed, it is possible that with the 

 increasing value of farm lands the only way in which many Long Island 

 farms can be made to pay a fair return upon the investment is by a 

 system of farm management which will include two or more crops on the 

 same land each year. 



Just as the extensively cultivated crops, such as wheat, corn, and 

 other grains, are gradually giving way to the trucking crops grown by 

 more intensive methods, so must the trucking systems gradually be 

 made more and more intensive through double or even triple cropping 

 schemes. 



Diversification. Of the 213 farms surveyed, 209 grew potatoes to 

 sell. Almost all of them also grew cauliflower or Brussels sprouts. 

 Besides these three there are but few crops grown. The main depend- 

 ence of eastern Long Island for money crops is on potatoes, cauliflower 

 and sprouts. 



These three crops, however, do not at all exhaust the possibilities 

 of vegetable-raising on Long Island. Asparagus is largely grown near 

 a cannery, but in other places it is very unusual. Strawberries are 

 seldom grown for extensive sale. They thrive very well and a few 

 years ago were one of the important crops. But over-production 



