STATUS OF AGRICULTURAL ENTERPRISE 241 



and the crop sold in primary markets for 89 cents 

 per bushel. The loss per bushel was 42 cents or 

 $364,391,164 on the total crop. 



In 1923 there were 797,381,000 bushels produced, 

 for which the farmers received 92% cents per 

 bushel. The aggregate loss that year was $380,- 

 760,880 for the crop. 



In 1924 the nation produced 864,565,000 bushels, 

 and the farmers received $1.28 per bushel for it. 

 The loss of 12 cents per bushel aggregated $101,- 

 789,964. 



These figures show that wheat ranged from $1.28 

 per bushel in 1924 to 92 %o cents per bushel in the 

 preceding year. Cotton prices have fluctuated be- 

 tween even wider margins in recent years, the price 

 ranging from 42 cents down to 10 cents per pound. 

 It often happens that a relatively small crop has 

 yielded more than a large one. 



Conflicting Theories of Farm Relief 



The problem confronting agriculture is to find 

 some method to stabilize markets against these un- 

 due and excessive fluctuations. Two conflicting 

 theories have developed with reference to the 

 remedy for this situation. One is based upon: 



1. Governmental price fixing. 



2. Governmental buying and selling. 



3. Governmental subsidies. 



