FARM MACHINERY 183 



United States, in 1849, the average wages of a farm worker 

 did not exceed $120 a year. In countries where machinery 

 is used little at the present time, wages are very low. 



Labor of Women in Fields. When hand methods pre- 

 vailed, the labor of women was required in the fields to care 

 for the crops during the seasons when they required urgent 

 attention. Now the services of women are seldom required 

 in the field, and in addition many machines have been 

 devised to aid her in the housework. Again, much of the 

 work formerly required of her in the home, like spinning, 

 weaving, garment making, soap making, and candle making 

 have been transferred to the factory, where machinery may 

 be economically used in the work. 



Percentage of Population on Farms. The percentage of 

 the total population living on farms in the United States has 

 decreased continually since 1800. At that time 97 per cent 

 of the people lived on farms; in 1849 the percentage had 

 decreased to 90 per cent, and in 1899 only 35.7 per cent of the 

 people lived on farms. 



Increase in Production. Notwithstanding the decrease 

 in the farm population in this country, the production of 

 agricultural products per capita has increased. In 1800, 

 5.50 bushels of wheat were produced per capita; in 1849, 

 4.43 bushels; in 1880, 9.16 bushels; in 1890, 7.48 bushels; 

 and in 1900, 8.66 bushels per capita. The production of 

 corn per capita increased from 25.53 bushels in 1850 to 34.94 

 bushels in 1900. 



Cost of Production. The cost of producing farm crops 

 has been materially lowered, although the cost of labor has 

 increased many fold. It is stated by one authority that the 

 average cost of producing farm crops was reduced 50 per 

 cent from 1850 to 1895. This reduction of cost is largely 

 due to a reduction in the time required in production. In 



