In studying the above tabulation it should be understood that the 

 year in which the survey was made may or may not have been normal, 

 and the labor income for any particular year is influenced greatly by the 

 character of the season. Many facts are brought out by these surveys 

 which will not be fully discussed at this point. In general, however, the 

 larger the farm or the larger the investment, the larger the labor income. 

 Increase in working capital, either in the form of livestock or equipment, 

 also makes for larger incomes. There is considerable difference in labor 

 incomes from farms as the result of location. This is due partly to soil 

 and climatic conditions and partly to transportation and markets. How 

 much is due to methods of farming is difficult to ascertain, since there are 

 so many factors that influence the final result. 



Profits in Farming. — These vary from time to time as the result of 

 cycles of over and under-production. From 1870 to 1895 farm profits 

 were small because of over-production during that period. As a result, 

 prices of all farm products were exceedingly low. This helped to make 

 the cost of living in cities low, and since there was a great development 

 along the lines of manufacturing and merchandising, city opportunities 

 were apparently better than on the farm. Many farm people consequently 

 moved to the cities. This was especially marked in case of the younger 

 people. From 1895 there has been a gradual change. Prices of farm 

 products have increased greatly. Farm profits consequently have been 

 larger. The farm has become more attractive, and there has been a 

 tendency for city people to move back to the land. 



It should be borne in mind that farming is a conservative business. 

 With good management, it yields good returns, but fortimes can hardly 

 be expected from farms of average size. Farmers may hope to make a 

 comfortable living, be able to travel some, educate their children as well 

 as city folk and save up a competence sufficient for old age. It is 

 doubtful if more than this is of any particular advantage. 



REFERENCES 



New York Expt. Station Bulletin 295. "An Agricultural Survey of Tompkins Countv, 



N. Y." 

 Farmers' Bulletin 432, U. S. Dept. of Agriculture. "How a City. Family Managed a 



Farm." 



