150 THE FARMER OF TO-MORROW 



means she has been using the same tools for 

 that length of time. The Teuton has been at 

 it for a thousand years, and China has been 

 at it so much longer that she has learned by 

 experience, not by laboratory science, that 

 pork is the most economical meat because the 

 hog is the most efficient machine among meat 

 animals. 



Here we have the starting point of efficiency. 

 It is not working the acre harder. It is work- 

 ing the acre under the most favorable condi- 

 tions, along the line of least resistance. Divi- 

 sion of labor is as economical among acres as 

 among human beings. The appearance of the 

 term "corn-belt" is a symptom of the gradual 

 movement toward the specialization of crops. 

 Corn originated in Central America and 

 gradually worked north until at length we be- 

 lieve it has found its most favorable environ- 

 ment in what we term the corn-belt. Very 

 simple influences may determine the confines 

 of a crop zone. As, for instance, wheat re- 

 quires a period of dry weather for curing at 

 the same time in the year when corn requires 

 moisture for the best development of its stalk. 

 The Department of Agriculture is deluged 

 with requests for information by farmers. 



