35 



AGRICULTURAL ECONOMICS 



from fields, in working awkwardly shaped fields, and in poorly 

 arranged farmsteads, and in unnecessary fencing. Plan the farm 

 before developing the farmstead, when this is practicable. 



Locate the farmstead of the family-sized farm on the highway, 

 near the center of one side rather than at the corner or in the center 

 of the farm, thus avoiding social isolation from being distant from 

 some fields by being at the corner. Thus secure the advantages of 

 being on the highway, where more people will call, of having fields 

 easily accessible on three sides of the farmstead for small pastures, 

 and of having short lanes which give easy access to all fields. Arrange 



FIG. 9 



so that one corner of each field is as near the farmstead as may be, that 

 men and teams may be quickly at work upon leaving the farmstead, 

 and that time may be saved in getting stock to and from the fields for 

 pasture, and also to avoid waste of land and fencing in long lanes. 



In planning the fields, take into consideration the fact that the 

 nearly square field requires less fencing. On the other hand, that the 

 longer the field the more easily the team work is done, and in deciding 

 consider the number of horses used in the fields and the kinds of crops 

 grown. For example, if a field is to be in pasture most of the time, 

 the more nearly square form may be used, while if often plowed and 

 cultivated there is reason for the longer form of field. 



The change needed on most farms in a new country is to avoid 

 growing grain and cultivated crops continuously on one part of the 

 farm and hay and pasture on another part. Alternating these three 



