BEST TYPE OF FARMING 



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make impossible the use of a self-binder, and, consequently, makes impos- 

 sible the successful growing of small grains in competition with their 

 production on the level lands adapted to machinery. The use of machinery 

 has reduced the cost of production of these crops to such an extent, and 

 transportation facilities have so reduced the differences in price in different 

 localities, that the whole country is brought into competition in the 

 production of most of the cereals. 



Erosion on steep land is often so severe as to make it necessary to 

 grow only those crops that tend to hold the soil in place. Cultivated crops, 

 such as corn, encourage the loss of soil by erosion, and should not be grown 

 on steep hillsides. 



Location. — In general, the nearer one is located to good markets, the 



Typical Corn Land. 1 

 A 320-acre cornfield, Illinois. 



more intensive the type of farming may be. Fruits and truck crops close 

 to good markets may be produced profitably even though the soil and the 

 climatic conditions are not ideal. The farmer who can secure high prices 

 can afford to spend more in modifying the soil in order to produce crops to 

 which it is naturally not best adapted. He may irrigate his crops if there 

 is a shortage of rain, providing prices are uniformly good. 



Far away from good markets the type of farming should become more 

 general and more extensive. It will generally tend more toward the 

 production of livestock and livestock products that may be marketed with 

 the minimum expense. 



Neighbors. — The character of neighbors is generally considered chiefly 

 from the social standpoint, but neighbors also have an economic value. 

 The type of farming that prevails in any neighborhood will generally be 

 the one to adopt. There will be advantages in several ways. 



1 Courtesy of E. L. Worthen. 



