AN ECONOMIC STUDY OF THE PRODUCTION OF CANNING CROPS 37 



A number of factors influence the yield per acre. Some of these, such 

 as sowing at the proper time, the quality of the seed when the seed is 

 charged to the farmer at a uniform price, and weather conditions, will 

 not influence the cost of production. Other factors, such as the quantity 

 of seed and fertilizer used per acre, will increase the cost. Whether or 

 not any single factor is profitable depends on whether the value of the 

 increased yield is greater than the cost of the practice. 



Acres of peas per farm 



Most of the growers raised small acreages of peas (table 33). Peas 

 must be harvested within a limited time, because of the deterioration 

 in quality if they are not cut at the proper stage of growth. The acreage 

 that can be grown per farm may be enlarged by increasing the amount 

 of help available or by extending the period of time in which the peas may 

 be harvested. Additional help may be secured by hiring additional men 

 or teams or by exchanging work with neighbors. The canning companies 

 often furnish men and teams to the larger growers. The current rates 

 are usually charged for these men and teams, but in some cases the charge 

 is only nominal. The period in which peas must be harvested may be 

 lengthened by growing a number of varieties that ripen at different dates, 

 by making several sowings of the same variety, and by not maintaining 

 strict standards as to the quality of the peas when harvested. 



TABLE 33. FARMS GROWING DIFFERENT ACREAGES OF PEAS IN EACH AREA IN 1920 



While the growers raising small acreages were the most numerous, a 

 comparatively small number of those who raised larger acreages produced 

 a considerable proportion of the total crop (table 34). Ten per cent of 



