GEOGKAPHICAL PHASES OP FAEM PEICES : CORN. 17 



A brief analysis of tlie salient features of Tables 2 and 2A, hy geographic sec- 

 tions, follows : 



West North Centeal States. — This division leads in corn production with 

 35.9 per cent of the total; contains 17 per cent of the total land area and 13 

 per cent of the population. It is, however, second to the eastern division of the 

 North Central States in the quantity, as well as in the percentage, of t-he crop 

 which moves to markets. Freight rates on corn to the Atlantic seaboard or to 

 the South are higher from the corn States west of the Mississippi. This places 

 those States at a disadvantage in selling either for export or to important 

 domestic markets, and consequently encourages in these western States the 

 feeding of corn to live stock and the production of meat. Prices are lowest in 

 this group. It ranks first in live-stock production and quantities consumed on 

 farms. The per capita production ranges from 1.5 to 159 bushels, by States. 

 The section is only third in the quantity of corn ground in merchant mills. 

 Out of its seven States the three farthest north. North Dakota, South Dakota, 

 and Minnesota, do not usually produce a surplus. Here higher prices prevail, 

 increasing with distances from the area of surplus. 



East North Central States. — Second in point of production, this division 

 shipped in the five years under consideration the largest quantity and highest 

 percentage out of counties where grown (42.9 per cent). Prices here are higher 

 than in the com States to the west, but lower than in other sections. A 

 strategic position at the head of the Great Lakes, between the Ohio and Mis- 

 sissippi Rivers, with cheap water transportation and nearness to corn-deficiency 

 States, gives this division more favorable conditions with regard to markets. 

 It ships out a larger share of its crop than the corn States west of the Missis- 

 sippi and feeds lesser proportions. This division is first in the quantities con- 

 sumed by merchant flour mills. It is more densely populated than the western 

 corn States, and its per capita production ranges from 20 to 66 bushels. In 

 Michigan and Wisconsin, however, where production is less than consumption, 

 prices are higher than in other States of this division. 



South Central States.— The east and west south central divisions are about 

 equal as to quantities produced ; together they raise a fifth of the United States 

 crop. Three out of the 16 States — Kentucky, Tennessee, and Texas — produce 

 the major part of the crop of this group of States. The general conditions 

 pointed out in the discussion of the Southern States with regard to corn 

 deficiency and prices prevail here. 



South Atlantic States. — In production, this section measured about 10 per 

 cent of the national total. The three northern States (Delaware, Maryland, 

 and Virginia) contributed about 65 per cent of the quantity entering trade 

 channels from this groiap of States. The deficit under combined requirements 

 of farms and merchant mills is around 16 million bushels; to this should be 

 added demands for urban consumption and industrial uses, as well as the move- 

 ment to the seaports for export. Farm prices of com in the more southern 

 States of this section are higher than in most other States except in the far 

 southwest. The same general conditions obtain as were indicated for the entire 

 southern group. 



Middle Atlantic States. — Containing 8 per cent of the total land area and 

 leading in point of population (21 per cent), this section produces only 3 per 

 cent of the national com. Here farm uses absorb substantially the entire local 

 production, which is less than needs even for this purpose. It ranks second 

 as to quantities ground in merchant mills. To requirements for the latter, 

 which swell the volume of shipments to this group by 59 million bushels, should 

 55985'— 18— Bull. 696 3 



