METHODS OF STUDYING AGRICULTURAL QUESTIONS 425 



corn, oats, hay, pasture, dairy cows, and hogs, constitute the 

 principal enterprises combined upon the individual farm. In an- 

 other region the combination is the same with the exception that 

 more emphasis is given to corn and hogs, and beef cattle replace 

 the dairy cows. In other regions the livestock is unimportant 

 and special crops as wheat, cotton, or cane, stand out as the 

 dominant enterprise, while in still other regions, the grazing of 

 cattle or sheep becomes the principal enterprise. 



These variations in farm organization are due to differences 

 in soil, climate, labor supply, market relations, etc. The expla- 

 nation of differences in types of farming, so far as they are due 

 to differences in environment, is the purpose of the geographical 

 method. 



The geographical method may be illustrated by comparing 

 the distribution of spring wheat, barley, and oats. These crops 

 are usually counted competing crops. They occupy the same 

 place in the system of crop rotation and they would require the 

 attention of the farmer about the same time of year in any given 

 region. A study of their distribution shows a remarkably 

 distinct division of territory between these crops. In Minne- 

 sota, for example, wheat growing extends east to a line drawn 

 north and south through Northfield. East of this line barley is 

 the dominant spring grain crop. In Wisconsin, barley produc- 

 tion is concentrated in the east central counties noted for their 

 high-grade barley for brewing purposes. 



The centers where oat production is concentrated are found 

 farther south. Central Illinois and north-central Iowa stand out 

 as regions where oat production holds a highly important place 

 on the farm. 



That climate is one factor in determining this division of 

 territory is obvious from the nature of the division. These crops 

 differ in their demands for moisture as well as in their require- 

 ments with regard to temperature. Soil differences are said to 

 play an important part in this division of territory. The rela- 

 tion of the barley regions to barley markets is in itself suggestive 

 of another geographic factor which should be considered. 



This study might be carried further by the use of charts of 



