2 BULLETIN 848, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



as their work was manifestly not comparable with that of men who 

 worked regularly on the farm and could give close supervision to 

 the different farm operations. Not many colored operators were 

 found in this area and none was interviewed. 



The data presented apply to the crop year 1916. The general con- 

 ditions, as affecting yields of crops and prices, were fairly normal. 

 The effects of the European War were not sufficiently felt at this 

 time to change materially the profits in farming or management of 

 farms in this region. 



SUMMARY OF RESULTS. 



The small farms visited in this survey were all devoted to truck- 

 ing or market gardening. Over 50 per cent of their total crop area 

 was devoted to vegetables and fruits, and 90 per cent of the receipts 

 were from this source. 



The average labor incomes realized, according to size of farm, were 

 as follows : 



Labor incomes. 



Number of farms. 



Farm 

 area. 



Tillable 

 area. 



Labor 

 income. 



45 



Acres. 

 11 

 21 

 39 



57 



Acres. 



6 



13 



23 



35 



$131 



223 



668 



1,147 



57 



29 



21 





Land values are high for farming purposes. In most instances 5 

 per cent of this value exceeds the renting value of the farms. The 

 landlords of the rented farms realized an average of only 2.9 per 

 cent on investment. 



Twenty to thirty per cent of the crop area is double-cropped. 

 Labor incomes are materially increased by double-cropping, since 

 thus the same equipment handles more acres of crops than in single- 

 cropping and the production per acre is increased. Double-cropping 

 is equivalent to. increasing the average of cropped land. Intensive 

 farming is necessary for success on small farms. 



The farm produce is disposed of by hauling it to the city and sell- 

 ing it either at the public market stands (wholesale or retail) or 

 through commission men. 



Twenty-four farms, or 16 per cent of those studied, were operated 

 by tenants. Twenty of the tenants paid a cash rent and the other 

 four gave a share of the crops as rent. Thirty-six owners rented 

 additional land and, in general, increased their profits thereby. 



