798 SUCCESSFUL FARMING 



Natural Enemies. — Plant diseases, insect enemies and weeds may seri- 

 ously affect the type of farming. In some instances an entire change in 

 system has been necessary because of these factors. The peach yellows in 

 Delaware practically wiped out the peach industry in that state at one time. 

 Cattle raising and dairying in the South have been held back because of 

 the prevalence of Texas fever. In parts of the cotton belt, the cotton- 

 boll weevil has caused the introduction of new crops and crop rotations. 

 The weevil in this case has doubtless been a blessing in disguise. The 

 corn-root worm has forced rotations in portions of the corn belt. An 

 abundance of noxious weeds may prevent the profitable production of such 

 crops as beets. 



Land Value. — The rise in land values necessitates gradually increasing 

 the intensity in the type of farming and the replacing of crops of low 

 value with those of higher value. There must be a rather definite relation- 

 ship between land values and values of crops produced. Where land values 

 are low it may pay better to own more land and farm more extensively 

 than to apply intensive methods. It should be remembered that the 

 product per man is more important than the product per acre so long 

 as land is fairly abundant. In time and with increase in population the 

 product per acre will become relatively more important, and may be of 

 more benefit to the community as a whole. 



Capital. — The type of farming may, to a certain extent, be adjusted 

 to the available capital. With small capital it may be advisable to depend 

 chiefly upon crops, rather than engage in both crop and livestock pro- 

 duction. The crops alone will require less capital and generally bring 

 quicker returns. 



Types of farming that require a long time for returns demand more 

 capital than those bringing quick returns. Orcharding or the raising of 

 horses are examples of slow returns and expenditure of much capital. 

 The production of cash crops, dairy products and swine are examples of 

 quick returns, although considerable initial capital will be required in land 

 and stock. The permanent investment should be large, but the working 

 capital may be very small. Men who engage in orcharding must either 

 have some other source of income on which to live until the orchard comes 

 in bearing, or devote the orchard to crop production until it begins to 

 bear fruit. 



Changing Type of Farming. — The wrong type of farming may con- 

 tinue for some time because of the difficulty in making a change. A 

 wrong type of farming usually results in bad financial condition of the 

 farmer. A radical change in type will generally call for increased expendi- 

 tures. This may be in the form of new buildings, additional equipment 

 or the purchase of livestock. This makes the problem difficult for the 

 poor man, even though he may fully realize the benefits to be derived 

 from such a change. The opening of the country in the Central West 

 and the development of cereal production there necessitated a readjustment 



