FACTORS IN WHEAT PRODUCTION 109 



The Farm Machinery. The implement equip- 

 ment for wheat production varies with the size of 

 the farm. The machinery used where fields aver- 

 age less than 15 acres is simple. Much hand 

 labor is usually involved. Where walking plows, 

 small harrows, and seeders are used, the cost per 

 acre for implements is nearly as high as in places 

 where larger farm units prevail. Without giving 

 much attention to the equipment used on either 

 extremely large or extremely small wheat farms, 

 it is of interest to know the implements needed 

 for typical conditions. Let us take as the basis 

 the average wheat acreage per farm in 1909. 

 This was reported by the census to be 30.3 acres. 

 A fair equipment for raising wheat on such a 

 farm would be : 



Three horses, $150 value each $450.00 



One plow 40.00 



One harrow 25.00 



One drill 5- 



One binder (six-foot cut) 125.00 



One rack for hauling bundles 20.00 



One wagon for hauling grain 60.00 



Total $770.00 



Where such farms prevail the threshing is hired 

 done, so no investment is needed for that part of 

 the work. Much of this machinery would be 

 used for other farm purposes as well as for wheat, 

 and therefore the cost should not be considered as for 



