ORGANIZATION OF THE AGRICULTURAL ENTERPRISE 347 



family do the major part of the farm work. Even on the farms con- 

 taining over 200 acres the family does half of the farm work. These 

 figures may, therefore, be taken as suggesting the most profitable size 

 for a family-farm. The larger farms seem to be better than the 

 smaller ones for this purpose. 



These figures do not throw any light on the desirability of the very 

 large farm, on which the farmer is so busy managing that he does not 

 do any manual labor. From observation the writers are of the opinion 

 that such farms have many serious obstacles in their way. They are 

 not likely to be able to handle labor effectively. The farmer who 

 works with his men and directs them as he works, and who treats his 

 hired men as equals, has a great advantage. 



There can be no question but that the larger farms are paying 

 better. But some persons may say that the difference is due, not to 

 the size of the farm, but to the farmer, and that the better farmers 

 live on the larger farms. If small farms are the best size, it would 

 seem as if the more intelligent farmers would choose them. If the 

 more intelligent men all choose large farms, there must be some reason 

 for it. Certainly there must be some good farmers living on small 

 farms. If the small farm offers the best opportunities, these farmers 

 should be doing exceedingly well. 



TABLE XXVIII 



VARIATION IN PROFITS WITH DIFFERENT SIZES OF FARMS; 586 FARMS OPERATED 



BY OWNERS 



Of 138 farmers on farms of less than 61 acres, only lo-made a 

 labor income as high as $600. Of 234 farmers with over 100 acres, 

 79 made over $600. 



