FARMING IN THE BLUEGRASS REGION. 9 



depend mostly on ponds in which the surface water collects. These 

 are usually natural depressions on the land surface, which are 

 tramped nearly water-tight by the hoofs of animals. Wells are not 

 reliable in this region as a source of water supply. 



RAINFALL 



IN 

 INCHES 



JAM 



FEB. 



MAR 



APR 



MAY 



JUNE 



JULY 



AUG 



SEPT 



OCT 



NOV 



DEC 



RAINFALL 

 INCHES 



10 

 8 

 6 

 4 



\ 

























10 

 8 

 6 

 4 



i 















NORMAL RAINF/ 

 RAINFALL 1913 



\LL 









\ 



, 

























i 



i \~. \ 





























VI 



» / 

 i' 





V s - r 



V 



' — - 



\ 





». 



^ 



><^ 



-"' ^~~ 



' , 



































Fig. 6. — Diagram showing comparison of the actual rainfall in 1913 with normal. 



SEASONAL DISTRIBUTION OF OPERATIONS. 

 CROPS. 



The farm enterprises 1 found in any well-developed agricultural 

 region are mainly those which the experience of farmers has shown 

 to be profitable. In the process of selecting such enterprises the 

 soil and climate are fundamental factors. Additional limiting fac- 

 tors are a profitable market and the availability of the right kind 

 of labor. Still another factor not so evident as either of these is the 

 way the various enterprises fit in with each other so as to interfere 

 as little as possible. Each crop not only has its peculiar method of 

 cultivation, but also its own peculiar seasons for the various opera- 

 tions required. Not only must a certain amount of labor be given, 

 but this labor usually must be applied within definite seasons. Hence 



1 Definitions : Certain special terms used in this bulletin are defined below : 



Farm enterprise. — Any crop or live-stock undertaking on the farm, such as corn, 

 tobacco, beef cattle, or swine. 



Labor income. — The amount the farmer receives for his labor and management besides 

 the house rent, food, and other perquisites the farm may furnish. It is found by sub- 

 tracting current expenses and interest on the total investment in the farm business from 

 receipts. 



Animal unit. — The equivalent of a mature farm animal, as a horse, cow, or steer ; 7 

 sheep, 14 lambs, 5 hogs, 10 pigs, 100 poultry, 2 head of young cattle or colts are equiva- 

 lent to an animal unit. 



Labor unit. — A man-day's work of 10 hours. 



Power unit. — One day's work of a mule, horse, or the equivalent of this work done by 

 an engine. 



Crop index. — A figure that measures the yield of all crops on a farm as compared with 

 the average yield of the community. One hundred is taken as the standard measure of 

 the farm yield of the community. 



Diversity index. — A factor derived by reducing all the enterprises of the farm to their 

 equivalent represented by a number of enterprises equal in value. It measures the degree 

 of diversification of enterprises on the farm. 



64453°— Bull. 482—17 2 



