2 BULLETIN 1034, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



comparisons that show the changes that have taken place in organiza- 

 tion and management of the farms during the five-year period.^ 



The conclusions reached concerning the organization and farming 

 practice best suited to the conditions of this region will undoubtedly 

 apply to a much wider area than that for which they are directly 

 drawn, in short, to practically all localities where similar conditions 

 prevail. 



The first year of the study, 1913, was a representative prewar year. 

 The farms included reported an average of 38 bales of cotton per 

 farm, 258 pounds of lint per acre, selling at 12.2 cents per pound. 

 In 1918, although the farms were slightly larger than in 19145, they 

 produced an average of 26 bales of cotton per farm, 234 pounds of 

 lint per acre, selling at 29.2 cents per pound. 



Between 1913 and 1918, Sumter County farmers had to face con- 

 ditions that made desirable important changes in the organization of 

 farms. In 1915 the boll-weevil appeared in the county, and though 

 it did not work such disaster as in many other sections, the farmers 

 were alert to the seriousness of the situation, and having the benefit 

 of the experience of farmers in areas previously infested, they imme- 

 diately began changes in their farm organization and operation to 

 meet the new condition. 



They could do this the more readily because there had been changes 

 in prices, and an increasing demand for farm products other than 

 cotton had arisen. A meat-packing industry was being developed, 

 increased facilities for preparing the peanut and its products for the 

 market were being installed, and increased or improved facilities 

 were being provided for the preparation and marketing of man}^ 

 other products. 



The data for 1918, as compared with those for 1913, show the ex- 

 tent to which changes had taken place in the area since the earlier 

 survey. While the acreage in cotton was decreased, the total acreage 

 in crops was maintained by planting more corn, wheat, and peanuts. 

 This represents a better farm practice, making a more even distribu- 

 tion of labor demands throughout the year. Furthermore, the rais- 



2 A report of the business analysis of the 534 farms for 1913 is found in Departraent 

 Bulletin 492, "An Economic Study of Farming in Sumter County, Georgia." The 1913 

 material reworked to accord with present-day methods is embodied in this report. The 

 data for 1918 were obtained in cooperation witli the Georgia State College of Agriculture. 



Acknowledgment is due to the farmers of Sumter County, who cooperated in obtaining 

 the data presented herein ; to Messrs. S. H. Starr, De F. Hungerford and G. V. Cunning- 

 ham, of Georgia Agricultural College, and Messrs. C. L. Goodrich, J. S. Ball, A. P. Brodell, 

 M. R. Cooper, M. A. Crosby, W. C. Funk, E. S. Haskell, H. B. McClure, Bruce McKinley, 

 A. D. McNair, M* B. Gates, F. H. Shelledy, F. D. Stevens, and R. S. Washburn, of the 

 Office of Farm Management and Farm Economics, who assisted either one or both years 

 in obtaining the data ; and to Dr. G. F. Warren, of Cornell University, and Prof. .T. R. 

 Fain, of Georgia Agricultural College. 



Acknowledgement is also due Miss Mabel G. Darcey and staff of clerical assistants for 

 compilation of these data. 



