REQUIREMENTS OF FIELD CROPS. 6 
requirements which have been determined for these individual areas 
can be applied safely in estimating costs and in working out read- 
justments in the organization of the farm when ordinary practices 
are followed, further study is needed to show requirements for special 
practices. For example, in typical wheat regions wheat may be 
grown by what is known as the summer fallow method, or it may be 
stubbled in after wheat, or it may be grown after some other crop, 
the land having been plowed and a suitable seed bed prepared. 
The requirements are not the same for all these cases. To provide 
the wheat farmer with specific directions, it would be necessary to 
get data on the labor and material requirements in growing and 
marketing the crop under the special conditions, or, better still, to 
gather detailed enterprise records in typical areas where these 
conditions prevail. 
Cost-accounting records available for several of the crops included in 
this discussion make it possible to show the distribution of man labor 
and horse labor throughout the year. Such information is a distinct 
aid in combining crop enterprises so as to utilize the available farm 
labor economically. These facts often provide the key for increased 
efficiency in the management of labor, and a corresponding increase 
in the profits is the result. A knowledge of the quantity of labor 
and time required is necessary in adjusting crop production to market 
demands and in revising cropping systems. If labor is relatively 
high-priced, and a given crop requires a large quantity of labor in 
its production, the operator may be in a position to decide that this 
enterprise should be curtailed somewhat, in view of the price situa- 
tion. On the other hand, the cost of labor and the market outlook 
may warrant the expansion of an enterprise, and the basic require- 
ments should indicate the more important changes which will have 
to be made in the program of work. 
Many farmers are keeping complete accounts of the farm business. 
After reviewing the returns for several years it may appear desirable 
to expand certain enterprises in order to increase farm profits. How 
will this expansion affect the organization of the farm ? The answer 
to this question may be found, in part by analyzing the individual 
farm record, and in part by consulting the labor distribution charts 
for different crops in various parts of the country published herewith. 
Such a review will enable the farm operator to determine with a 
reasonable degree of accuracy whether he can meet the proposed 
adjustments with the supply of labor available. He will also be in a 
position to approximate his seed and other material requirements, 
and if the contemplated change is decided upon, can make due 
arrangements for procuring the necessary supplies in season. 
Two terms used in this bulletin require a brief explanation, namely, 
" operating expense" and " total cost." Operating expense, as 
