278 



POWER AND THE PLOW 



Mechanical power, even on the farm, is now enjoying a 

 swifter increase, both actual and relative, than animal power. 

 Animal power and machinery added 85 per cent, to the 

 producing efficiency of the average farm worker between 1870 

 and 1900. For every pound of products raised by the workman 

 who worked unaided in 1830, six were raised in 1895 with the 

 help of machines and animals. One man could produce as 

 much barley in 1895 as twenty-three in 1830. Between 1880 

 and 1900, in seven states leading in cereal production, each 

 laborer came to handle more than three acres for every two 

 he had handled before. Here and in the entire North Central 

 division, farms of over 10 acres increased over 50 per cent, 

 in size during the two decades. In the South Atlantic states, 

 where human labor has been less largely displaced by machinery, 

 farms became 10 per cent, smaller. 



=B435 



Effect of power on production 



Fewer men, with more animals, not only handle greater 

 areas, but receive greater rewards. Iowa, with nearly four 

 horses to each farm hand in 1899, gave each man sixty acres 

 of crops and an income of $611, after paying interest on her 

 investment. North Carolina and Alabama, with approxi- 

 mately two work animals to each three laborers, restricted 

 each man to thirteen acres, and paid him less than one fourth 

 as much for his work. Quaintance believes the average farmer 

 to have been 42 per cent, better off financially in 1899 than in 



