GEOGRAPHICAL PHASES OF FARM PRICES : CORN. 13 



States. The East and South, however, draw the greater part of 

 the corn shipments from the surplus-producing* territor3^ In the 

 Mountain and Pacific States the quantities produced and consumed 

 are unimportant compared to the other sections, but the ratio of 

 corn importation to production and the degi'ee of deficiency are 

 very high. Of the amount consumed on farms, about 57 per cent 

 IS apportioned to the North Central States, 35 per cent to the South, 

 and 6 per cent to the North Atlantic States. 



As indicated by figure 3, the North Central States, which comprise about 

 2.3 per cent of the total laud area and less than a third of the total popula- 

 tion, produce about 65 per cent of the crop, and consume on farms alone about 

 three-fourths of the production of the two groups, or about half of the national 

 :rop. This section is first in the aggregate value of all live stock produced. 

 Mter deducting the heavy local consumption, the remaining surplus, which is 

 3nly about a fourth of the production of the two groups, still constitutes nearly 

 seven-eighths of the amount entering trade channels. Of the 12 States in these 

 two divisions only 7 produce a surplus ; the northern 5 import considerable 

 luantities. These " seven corn-surplus States," so called, ranked as to amount 

 3f surplus in 1911-1915. are : Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Nebraska, Missouri. Ohio, 

 md Kansas. 



The South contains about 40 per cent of all land in farms in the United 

 States and produced in 1911-1915 30 per cent of the corn crop. Practically the 

 entire production is consumed locally, very little entering Into trade channels, 

 rotal requirements for consumption on farms, live stock in cities, mills, and in- 

 lustrial uses bring large quantities southward. It is well known that corn to 

 some extent takes the place of wheat for food purposes throughout the greater 

 3a rt of the South. While cheaper than wheat, corn prices usually about equal 

 :he ordinary prices of wheat in the States to the North. High and irregular 

 price levels prevail. Local conditions and the character of the distributive 

 machinery make for irregularity in the price zones. The highest degree of corn 

 leficiency in the South obtains in its most southern States, and the high prices 

 irevailing there preclude extensive use for feeding purposes. The major part 

 s grown in the northern tier of States. 



The largest movement of corn is directed toward the North Atlantic States — 

 :he comparatively densely populated industrial section. Only a very small 

 Taction of the corn produced in these States enters trade channels. As the- 

 'arm consumption is considerably in excess of production, shipments are sent 

 lere for this use as well as to fill urban requirements. An amount equal to 

 lalf of production, and in most of the States largely in excess of production, 

 Dasses through merchant mills alone. The deficit under combined requirements 

 "or farms and merchant mills is approximately 85 million bushels. The cities 

 Iraw additional quantities for live stock and for export. 



Mountain and Pacific divisions consume but 2 per cent of the national pro- 

 iuction, but even this consumption is several times the amount grown. Corn 

 generally equals or exceeds wheat in price in these States. The percentage 

 ?rown which is of merchantable quality is comparatively low. 



