THE USE OF HORSES AND MULES ON FARMS 



by 



J. J. Csorba, Agricultural Economist 



Farm Economics Research Division 



Agricultural Research Service 



One of the most pronounced changes in American agri- 

 culture since 1920 has been the almost complete replacement 

 of horses and mules by mechanical power. 



As the number of horses and mules has decreased, the 

 use of horse-drawn implements has also declined, both in total 

 and per machine. In 1956, the average horse-drawn machine 

 was used to cover far less than half the acreage it covered in 

 1941. Workstock is now used mainly on such light draft imple-, 

 ments as planters and cultivators. 



The use of horses and mules will probably continue to 

 decline, but the bulk of the decrease is over. The largest fu- 

 ture decline is likely to be found in the South Atlantic and East 

 South Central areas, which now have about two -fifths of the 

 Nation's work animals. Even there, however, the continued 

 adjustment will not be difficult, as most of the work animals 

 are used very little. 



