2 BULLETIN 1258, U. 6. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 
the additional value of indicating profits accruing to American 
farmers during the war as compared to pre-war profits — during a 
period of widely varying prices. 
The object of the investigation, in each instance, was to bring out 
factors influencing successful farm organization and management in 
representative parts of the Corn Belt. 
The authors are greatly indebted to those who cooperated in the 
study, as the success of conducting these investigations over this 
period of time is primarily dependent upon the diligent and pains- 
taking efforts of trie men performing the field work and the cooper- 
ating farmers. The farmers showed increased interest in these studies 
from year to year. Some began keeping accounts, others kept 
accounts in more detail than formerly mat the data might be more 
complete. 
DESCRIPTION OF AREA. 
The area under studv, which is located about 40 miles north of 
Indianapolis, is typical of general crop and livestock farming in 
north-central Indiana. The land was originally covered with heavy 
hardwood timber, except for a few strips locally known as "prairie. 
The surface is level to slightly rolling; much of the land is tile 
drained; the main wagon roads are improved, most of them graveled: 
and railroad points are readily accessible the year round. Cen- 
tralized schools and township high schools have replaced the "district 
school." General farming prevailed in the area during the period 
of this study, with corn, oats, wheat, and clover the leading crops, 
and hogs and cattle the most important livestock. Hogs, corn, oats, 
cattle, and wheat were the leading sources of income; hogs con- 
tributed almost as much as the others combined. 
Clinton County was first settled in 1818. The Federal census 
reports of agricultural products for each 10 years, beginning with 
1840, show corn by far the most important crop of the county. 
Wheat led oats in production up to and including the 1900 census, 
but since 1900 oats have led wheat. Hogs in Clinton County have 
always outnumbered other classes of livestock, save poultry. There 
were from two to four times as many hogs as cattle for successive 
census years, beginning with 1840. Sheep have decreased rapidly 
since 1900. In 1900 there was 1 sheep in Clinton County for every 
7 hogs, while in 1920 there was but 1 sheep for every 17 hogs. There 
has been but little change in the number of dairy cows in the county 
since 1890. 
The size of farms decreased from an average of 111 acres in 1860 
to 84 acres in 1900, and then increased to 104 acres in 1920, while 
the number of acres of improved land per farm has steadilv increased 
from 48 in 1860 to 95 in 1920. 
The average capital per farm advanced from $2,996 in 1860 to 
$5,531 in 1900, $13,472 in 1910, and $27,037 in 1920. From 85 to 
90 per cent of these values were in real estate. 
The operating expenses of farms increased heavily from 1900 to 
1920. Hired labor cost $44 per farm in 1899; $98 in 1909; and $213 
in 1919. Fertilizer cost $2 per farm in 1899; $3 in 1909; and $51 in 
HMO. 
Up to 1900 the agriculture of Clinton County was characterized 
by continuous expansion and no important change in the type of 
farming. About 1900, however, certain important changes, or read- 
