gg THE BUTTER INDUSTRY IN UNITED STATES [322 



TABLE XIV— Acreage of Hay, 



(From U. S. Census.) 



That the acreage devoted to hay and forage in the east- 

 ern states is decreasing is shown by table no. 14. This is 

 partially due to the fact that the yield per acre has steadily 

 increased from 1879 to 1909. Table no. 12 shows that the 

 increase in the average yield per acre during this time was 

 .27 tons for New England and .22 tons for the Middle At- 

 lantic states. The larger portion of the decrease in the 

 acreage devoted to hay and forage, however, has been 

 forced by an increase in the acreage of potatoes and vege- 

 tables. As table no. 14 shows, the percentage increase in 

 the acreage devoted to potatoes from 1899 to 1909 was 29.5 

 in New England and 7.8 in the Middle Atlantic states. 

 The percentage increase of the acreage devoted to vege- 

 tables during the same period was 27.1 in New England 

 and 1 8. 1 in the Middle Atlantic states. 



In the light of these facts it is plain that butter produc- 

 tion can not become intensified in dairy regions close to 

 urban centers. The industry as a specialty must move to 

 sections of the country where the soil, topography, and 

 climate are naturally favorable, and where the influences 



