TENANCY IN THE WESTERN STATES 

 By Benjamin H. Hibbard 



(From the Quarterly Journal of Economics, Vol. XXVI, p. 363, 

 February, 191 2) 



THE Western division of states, or in terms of the census of 

 19 10, the Mountain and Pacific divisions combined, comprise 

 twelve states, occupying the Rocky Mountain region and extending 

 westward to the Pacific Ocean. In area these states are large, being 

 equal to two-fifths of the land surface of the United States. From 

 the standpoint of agriculture, however, they do not fill so important 

 a place. Within this vast extent of territory are found but one- 

 seventeenth of the whole number of farms of the United States, 

 one-eighth of the acres of farm land, and one-ninth of the total 

 value of farm land and buildings. In comparison with the North 

 Central states there are but one-fifth as many farms, three-tenths 

 as many acres of farm land, and less than one-fifth as great a value 

 of farm land and buildings. 



As to their products, the Western States make a good showing, 

 whether in proportion to the number of farms or to the acres of 

 farm land. Of wheat these states, with 9.1 per cent of the total 

 acreage, report 1 3 per cent of the total product. Of barley they 

 report 23 per cent of the acreage and 27 per cent of the product. 

 In the acreage of oats they report 5.5 per cent of the total, and in 

 the proportion of bushels produced, 6.8 per cent. A showing no 

 less good is made in respect to hay and forage, the division 

 reporting one-eighth of the acreage, and one-sixth of the yield of 

 this crop. A still better showing is made in fruit production, 

 although comparisons with other divisions are not altogether easy 

 to make. Of the total number of cattle of the country these states 

 contribute about 15 per cent, and of the sheep, 59 per cent. 



536 



