FARMING IN THE LOWER "RIO CRANDE DISTRICT. 15 



The principal items of expense were as follows: Labor, $1.11.",: 

 seed, $163; crates, hampers, etc., $433; irrigation water, $451 ; taxes, 

 $55. The depreciation of the buildings and machinery for the year 

 was estimated by the operator to be $00. The total expenses of all 

 kinds for the year's business to the operator, excepl the value of 

 his own labor, amounts to $2,671. 



As has been shown, the total receipts from all sources amounted to 

 $4,208. When the expenses are deducted from the receipts the farm 

 income is $1,537. The operator valued his own labor at $600 per 

 year, which is deducted from the farm income. This shows a net 

 income of $937, which is 5 per cent on the total investment of $18,513. 



The degree of double cropping could be increased with profit on 

 this farm. Only 35 per cent of the crop land produced a second crop 

 during the year, and 8 acres of this land was in cowpeas. Crops that 

 might increase profits by increased acreage are lettuce and potatoes. 



An increase in the hog business doubtless would be profitable, pro- 

 viding slightly better management of the enterprise were provided. 

 The farm supports seven brood sows producing two litters each per 

 \ear. With this increase in hogs would follow the production of 

 some other crops as hog feed, such as stock beets and oats for pas- 

 ture. Greater profits would be made if the $630 worth of corn sold 

 had been fed to hogs for the market. 



The increase in acreage above suggested would not require the 

 addition of further equipment. The acreage of crops per work ani- 

 mal w 7 as less than 17 at the time of this study. 



A HOG FARM. 



The following data show the business of a fairly successful hog 

 farm located near the Rio Grande in Cameron County. 



The farm consists of 71 acres, of which 59 acres is crop land. 7 

 acres permanent Bermuda grass pasture and 5 acres waste land. The 

 real estate investment amounts to $14,200, of which the dwelling 

 represents $800, barn, $200, and other buildings, $50. At the begin- 

 ning of the year's business (1914-15) there w T as stock on the farm 

 valued at $1,160, distributed as follows: Two cows and 2 calves, $80; 

 6 head of work stock, $527; 15 brood sows and boar, $250; poultry. 

 $38 ; and 53 stands of bees, $265. Machinery and tools were valued 

 at $734. Feed on hand at the beginning of the year was valued at 

 $260, and the cash on hand for running expenses, $600. The total 

 investment was therefore $16,954. 



