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BULLETIN 1070, IT. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



To show the effect of increased yields of corn per acre on farm prof- 

 its, only farmers with over 30 per cent of their crop acreage in corn 

 were selected. Of course other factors besides the yield of corn 

 influenced the profits on these farms, but where so great a propor- 

 tion of the crop acreage was in corn the yield of that crop was bound 

 to have considerable weight. 



In 1912 farmers who got a yield of only 16 bushels of corn per 

 acre made an average labor income of $48, while those With a yield 

 of 30 bushels per acre got an average labor income of $175. It will 

 be remembered that the average labor income of all farms in 1912 

 was $87. In 1918 the farmers who got less than an average vield 



Fig. 5.— Catawba County cotton field. Cotton is the main money crop of this area. 



of corn got an average labor income of $337, while those with an 

 average yield of 31 bushels of corn per acre got an average labor 

 income of $633. In 1918 the average labor income of all farms 

 was $542. 



Among factors favorable to the growing of corn may be cited the 

 fact that it is an excellent feed for farm stock; that any surplus has 

 a ready market at good prices in this region; and that on lowlands 

 very large yields per acre are possible. Among the unfavorable 

 factors are the fact that it competes with cotton and sweet potatoes 

 for labor; that the yield is generally low, in 1912 averaging 23 bushels 

 per acre, and in 1918 24 bushels; and that weevils often causes con- 

 siderable damage. 



