10 BULLETIIS^ 425, U. S. DEPAETMEXT OF AGRICULTURE. 



In this table the farms are classified on the basis of tillable area. 

 In a region like this, having a very large percentage of unimproved- 

 land, it is better to measure size of business in tillable area than in 

 total area. Family income, family labor income, farm income, and 

 labor income are also shown in the table. These incomes increase 

 m direct ratio to the increase in tillable area. The 50 farms in the 

 first group with an average tillable area of 15.5 acres have an average 

 labor income of minus SI 18 and an average family income of $213. 

 These incomes constantly increase with each group until m the last, 

 with an average tillable area of 179.5 acres, the average labor income 

 is $495 and the average family income $1,586. 



The average amount of capital invested in the first group is $3,593 

 and in the last group $17,872. The average total investment for 

 the 801 farms is $6,856. As compared with some areas studied in 

 other parts of the country, the average incomes are not large, but it 

 must be remembered that the average investment is small. These 

 figures show what is being done with small capital and small clear- 

 ings, and indicate what may be done with more capital and with 

 larger acreage under cultivation. 



SIZE OF FARM. 



All these groups, except possibly the last, contain enough farms 

 to warrant the drawing of definite conclusions as to the relation 

 existing between income and size of business as measured by tillable 

 area. The 'little farm well tilled'' may succeed, and frequently 

 does succeed ia this area, but the prospects are brighter for the 

 larger farm if that larger farm has sufficient area under cultivation. 

 Among the records there are those of quite a number of farms having 

 satisfactory labor incomes on less than 40 acres of cleared land, but 

 these farms have rich soU, exceptionally good livestock, and, as a 

 rule, a considerable acreage of woods pasture. A family engaged m 

 general farming may make a fair living on a farm with 40 acres 

 under cultivation and should be able to make money with 80 to 

 160 acres under cultivation. The rapid enlargement of the culti- 

 vated area on each farm, when it can be done economically, is the 

 first and most important agricultural problem in this district and 

 the one that has the widest and most general application. 



How large the farm should be in this region will depend much on 

 the farmer's resources. The average farm in the third group with 

 50.2 tillable acres produces a family income of $533. If the farm 

 is free of debt, a,ll of this money is available for the family livmg, 

 but if family labor and interest are deducted, the farmer has only 

 $47 left to pay him for his year's work. The next group of farms, 

 with an average of 68.8 acres under cidtivation, gives results only a 

 little better. The following group, having a tillable area between 



