2 BULLETIN 678, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



relatively unprofitable under new conditions creating higher values 

 for real estate. 



It is the purpose of this study to analyze these conditions in order 

 to arrive at an understanding of the underlying principles of farm 

 organization and practice here, to point out the more profitable 

 types of farming, and to show how some of the more successful 

 farms are organized. 



The important conclusions drawn from this study are: (1) For the 

 area surveyed the small farm intensively cultivated is the most 

 efficient and profitable. (2) The most profitable types found are 

 those specia,lizing in potatoes and truck. (3) Dairying combined 

 with truck farming is profitable here, but as a type it is gradually 

 being pushed farther away from the city to cheaper land. (4) The 

 general mixed type of farm, representing the extensive system and 

 a high degree of diversity, is the least profitable in this area. 



SOURCES OF INFORMATION AND BASIS OF STUDY. 



In the faU of 1913 about 50 farms were visited in representative 

 sections of Jefferson County. In this survey a detailed study was 

 made of the leading crop enterprises, such as Irish potatoes, sweet 

 potatoes, .onions, a few other important truck crops, wheat, corn, 

 orchard grass, timothy, and clover. Two produce exchanges were 

 found successfully working in the county. A careful study was 

 made of these. The city market was also made an object of study, 

 as well as the wagon roads and trolley lines radiating from it into 

 the farming community. In 1915 another farm-management survey 

 was made of 100 farms in this area representing various types. 

 These farms were located as shown by the dots in figure 1. In this 

 survey a careful study was made of the organization and the business 

 success of each farm. 



Information relative to changes which have occurred in types of 

 farming was obtained from the United States census statistics; 

 Bureau of Crop Estimates, United States Department of Agricul- 

 ture; and from direct observation and consultation with farmers in 

 the region. 



GENERAL CONDITIONS. 



THE CITY AND THE COUNTY. 



Jefferson County hes along the Ohio River where that stream has 

 worn its channel through a low rim of mountains which form the 

 western boundary of the Bluegrass Region. Thus it is a natural 

 gateway for travel and transportation between much of eastern and 

 central Kentucky and the western part of the State. 



In the bend of the river below the Falls of the Ohio is the city of 

 Louisville, occupying an area of about 28 square miles, with a popu- 

 lation in 1916 of 267,342. Good macadam roads radiate from the 



