SIZE OF FARMS 



253 



is an average of 2.3 men per farm; that is, 1.3 men besides 

 the operator. (Table 44.) 



One hired-man by the year is the smallest number that 

 can be used to run a farm effectively. In this County, 

 it appears that, on the average, a farm must be over 150 

 acres if it is to justify one in keeping a man by the year. 



The farms averaging 79 acres employ an average of a 

 man for half of a year. This is 53 acres per man. But 175 

 acres is farmed with a little less than one additional man. 

 The additional man makes it possible to farm 96 more 

 acres, almost twice as much per man. At the same time, 

 the crop yields are just as good. 



TABLE 44. RELATION OF SIZE OF FARM TO EFFICIENCY OF 

 LABOR. LIVINGSTON COUNTY, NEW YORK 



On the average, the additional area is farmed at the rate of 130 acres 

 per man. It appears that in Livingston County, after one has labor to 

 run a given farm, he can farm 130 acres more by hiring one more man. 



1 The approximate number of men is found by adding the cash cost 

 of labor to the value of unpaid labor, and dividing by the approximate 

 cash cost of one man, $325, thr? adding the operator to the number 

 secured. 



For the United States, figures are not given as to the 

 amount of farm work done by members of the farm family 



