FARM MACHINERY 



49 



The data requisite for a similar showing with respect to all farm 

 crops and for any certain period are, I think, not to be had ; but 

 we can apply the data presented in the foregoing table to the 

 principal crops of the year 1899, as reported by the Twelfth 

 Census. 1 The results are as follows : 



THE COST OF PRODUCING CERTAIN CROPS OF THE YEAR 1899, 

 BY HAND AND BY MACHINE METHOD 



The estimated cost of producing these crops by machine method 

 is only 53.7 per cent of the estimated cost of producing the same 

 crops by hand method. In other words, the saving in cost of 



t The data have been modified to show a comparison on the basis of equal 

 quantities produced. If the equal areas be taken instead, the line should read : 

 Cotton : by hand, etc., $9.23 ; $9.42 ; 2.09. 



t The data have been modified to show a comparison on the basis of equal 

 quantities produced. If the equal areas be taken instead, the line should read : 

 Tobacco : by hand, etc., $8.88 ; $33.39 ; 276.33. 



1 Twelfth Census, Agriculture, Vol. I, p. cxxi. 



2 The figures in parentheses are the unit numbers used by the Department of 

 Labor and indicate what set of reports was used as the basis of the estimated 

 cost of production as here presented. The dates of the investigations for hand 

 and for machine methods may be found by reference to the preceding table. 



