CHAPTER 63 



Factors that Determine Best Type of Farming 



Type of farming pertains to the enterprises that make up the farm 

 business. The farm may be devoted to a single crop, such as wheat, or it 

 may consist of a number of crops in combination with the production of 

 dairy products or meat. In the one case it would be a special type; in 

 the other, a general type. 



It is important that the many factors that influence the type of farming 

 harmonize with all the farm enterprises. When a combination of crops 

 and animals can be selected, all of which are adapted to the climate, soil 

 and topography of the farm, and when first-class transportation facilities 

 or good markets for all of the products are at hand, farming is compara- 

 tively easy, and success is assured if the farmer does his part. 



The Man. — By nature, training and experience, men are better adapted 

 to some lines of production than others. It is a significant fact, however, 

 that men soon learn to like most any type of farming that is financially 

 successful, and to dislike that type that is unsuccessful. While success 

 may depend to a considerable extent upon the man, there are many types 

 of farming that are impractical in certain localities because some of the 

 factors necessary for success are lacking. 



Climate. — Sunshine and rain are important factors in plant growth. 

 They are beyond the control of man, and this makes it necessary for him to 

 work in co-operation with climatic conditions as far as possible. 



Cotton cannot be grown successfully beyond the limits of the cotton 

 belt, chiefly because climatic conditions are unfavorable farther north. 

 Corn requires plenty of rainfall and warm weather during its growing 

 season. It does poorly in the arid regions, even though it be irrigated. 

 It is also an unsatisfactory crop where the summer season is short and the 

 summer nights are cool. Potatoes, Canada peas and other crops will 

 not succeed under the warm weather conditions of the Southern states. 

 It is, therefore, important to have the crop adapted to climatic conditions. 



The Soil. — Soil adaptation has been thoroughly discussed in the first 

 part of this book. Soils may be somewhat modified, and there is more 

 range in soil adaptation than there is in climatic adaptation. Where 

 markets are especially good, one may be justified in growing a crop to 

 which the soil is not as well adapted as it may be elsewhere, but the crop 

 should always be adapted to the soil as far as other conditions will justify. 



Topography. — Comparatively level land may be devoted to any kind 

 of crops to which the soil and climate are adapted. It permits the use of 

 any kind of machinery. A rugged topography, on the other hand, may 



(792) 



