CORN" IK" THE GREAT PLAINS AREA. 



11 



tions obviously varies with soils and other conditions. The average 

 shown in Table II has been determined from the actual experience 

 of a large number of men connected with these investigations — 

 experience that has extended over a wide range of conditions and 

 many years of time. 



The factors included in the cost of production are calculated on 

 an acre basis for each of the separate operations performed, begin- 

 ning with the preparation of the land and ending with the harvesting 

 and shocking of the crop. To these items are added the cost of 

 seed, at 22 cents per acre ; interest and taxes on the land investment, 

 calculated at 8 per cent on a valuation of $20 per acre; and the 

 deterioration and repairs of the binder, at 15 cents per acre. No 

 allowance is made for the deterioration of other farm equipment, as 

 it is believed that the wages assigned for men and teams are sufficient 

 to cover this item of expense. 



Table II. — Average cost per acre of the farm operations involved in growing corn in the 



Great Plains area. 



[The wage scale assumed is S2 per day for each man and SI per day for each horse.] 



Operation. 



Force em- 

 ployed. 



Men. Horses. 



Day's 

 work. 



Item 

 cost. 



Cost 

 per 



acre. 



Plowing 



Disking 



Harrowing 



Su bsoiling 



Drilling 



Cultivating 



Listing 



Harvesting: 



Cutting and binding — 



Shocking 



Twine 



Binder wear and repair. 



Acres. 

 3i 

 8 

 35 

 3h 

 15 

 16 

 10 



SI. 71 

 .75 

 .17 

 1.43 

 .40 

 .38 

 .60 



SO. 62-J 

 .50 

 .22 1 

 .15 



Table II shows the cost per acre, based upon what is considered 

 an average day's work for each of the farm operations involved, at 

 the above-mentioned wage. The cost of production as computed 

 in Tables II and IV is not offered as being absolute for any locality, 

 either in the amount of labor required or its cost. It is recognized 

 that the labor cost will vary with individuality and conditions. The 

 cost of twine to bind an acre of corn obviously varies with the char- 

 acter of the crop. The assumed land value would be too low for 

 many sections of the Plains. The estimated cost used in the table 

 would be low for even an average crop in sections where heavy 

 yields are obtained. Recognizing these and other possible variations, 

 the cost shown in the tables is used simply to give a working basis 

 for the comparison of the results by different methods. 



