ANIMAL IXDISTRIES 



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The ratio of animal units to the total number of 

 acres in farms and to the total area of improved land 

 has been remarkably constant. This ratio was 6.7 

 acres to the animal in 1850 and 6.55 acres to the ani- 

 mal in 1915. In 1880 it was 7.3 acres and in 1900, 

 6.3 acres. The total number of animal units for suc- 

 cessive periods, excluding poultry, is shown in the 

 following table: 



Table VI. — Number of Animal Units Exclu- 

 sive OF Poultry on Farms from 1850 to 1915 



In these figures, seven sheep and five hogs are es- 

 timated to be equal to one mature cow or horse. 

 Xo allowance is made for young horses and cattle 

 which are assumed to maintain a constant ratio to the 

 total number in that class. 



Some fluctuation is observable in the total num- 

 ber of animal units. The census year of 1900, for 

 example, is a high point and at that time the num- 

 ber of acres to an animal, 6.3, was the lowest it has 

 been at any time in the period under consideration. 



