236 THE WHEAT INDUSTRY 



the cradle is, however, still the prevalent harvest- 

 ing machine. Where these conditions prevail the 

 fields are small and the wheat produced forms but 

 a small part of the total production. 



The threshing is usually done with small ma- 

 chines operated by six to twelve horse power 

 engines and, since much of the grain is stacked, 

 it usually continues until late in the autumn. 



The Wheat Supply and Demand in This Region. 

 In the geography of wheat, this region, which 

 embraces the most densely populated part of the 

 United States, is more important as a consumer 

 than as a producer. Its production is only about 

 5j per cent of the total for the United States. Thus 

 with its dense population this region in wheat 

 production falls far below the amount adequate 

 for its needs. This condition exists in spite of 

 the fact that we here find intelligent, intensive 

 farming, the extensive use of fertilizers, and a very 

 high average yield per acre. Maine in 1913 re- 

 ported an average yield of spring wheat of 25.5 

 bushels per acre, and the winter wheat in Pennsyl- 

 vania for the same year averaged 17 bushels per 

 acre. 



Very little of this wheat is exported. It is 

 mixed with western wheat and used for milling 

 purposes. Prices received for it are higher than 

 those received for wheat in the western regions. 

 The farm price per bushel in New York state is 



