384 ELEMENTS OF AGRICULTURE 



QUESTIONS AND PROBLEMS 



1. If there is both sandy and clay land in your community, how 

 soon after a rain can .each be tilled? How many days difference is there 

 in the spring? 



2. To what extent does topography of farms in the community 

 affect erosion, winds, the use of machinery? 



3. How much more time will it take to raise ten acres of corn on a 

 field one-half mile from the buildings than to raise an equal area 

 adjacent to the buildings? How much more would the nearer land be 

 worth per acre? 



4. What area will a six-foot binder cut during a harvest period of 

 twelve days, working twelve hours a day? (Obtain estimates from 

 farmers.) 



5. When must one begin plowing a 40-acre field with a 14-inch 

 plow in order to have it completed by October 1? (Obtain estimates 

 from farmers.) 



6. How many farmers in your community keep accounts to show 

 the gain or loss on different crops, or on the farm business as a whole? 



In answering the following questions, study Appendix Tables 14-17. 



7. Which has increased more rapidly, the population or the area 

 of farm land? 



8. Has there been any decided change in the area of improved 

 land per farm during the past fifty years? 



9. What changes in the total value of farm property and in the 

 value per farm? In the value per acre of farm land? 



10. What changes in the value of farm implements per farm and 

 per acre? Compare with question No. 13. 



11. Is the value of live stock per farm increasing or decreasing? 



12. Are the values of farm products per farm and per acre increas- 

 ing or decreasing? 



13. How are the number of acres and number of horses per male 

 worker changing? 



14. Is the per cent of rented farms increasing or decreasing? Is 

 it increasing in your community? Why? 



15. How do farm wages compare with those formerly paid? Are 

 the wages in your community higher than in 1900? Are the farmers 

 more or less prosperous than at that time? 



16. How are the farm crop yields per acre and values per bushel 

 changing? 



