22 INTENSIVE FARMING 



crop potatoes occupy the land only a short 

 period, usually from February to June, and are 

 followed by another crop, often corn. Extens- 

 ive truck growers frequently plant as many as 

 two hundred and fifty or three hundred acres of 

 potatoes. Some idea of the character of the in- 

 dustry may be gained from the fixed charges 

 connected with the production of the crop. 

 Leaving out of consideration the interest on the 

 land and noting only items of direct expendi- 

 ture, the list will appear somewhat as follows : 



Plowing one acre $ 4.00 



Harrowing one acre 60 



Planting (with planter) i.oo 



Seed for one acre (12 bu.) 12.00 



Fertilizer (1,000 Ibs.) 17.50 



Cultivating 2.50 



Digging 2.00 



Packing up 100 bbls 10.00 



Packages, 100 bbls., at 22c 22.00 



Covers, 100, at 3c 3.00 



Total cost of production $74.00 



Transportation, 100 bbls $ 35.00 



Selling, 10 per cent 20.00 



Total expense $129.00 



loo barrels at $2.00 (gross returns) 200.00 



Net returns $ 71.00 



The capital required to finance the planting 

 of one hundred acres or more of potatoes is a 

 very considerable sum. The risk involved is 



