THE COST OF PRODUCING COTTON. — 43 
the dollar costs for the man and mule labor. Cost data expressed 
in terms of money lack stability, and they are especially unreliable 
in periods in which extreme fluctuations occur. This has been par- 
ticularly noticeable during the past three or four years. The meth- 
_ ods of growing cotton have not changed appreciably during this 
period. The normal man labor requirements do not vary greatly 
from year to year except as they may be influenced in the individual 
cases of high or low yields, with resultant increase or decrease in 
labor requirements. It is obvious, therefore, that basic data, like 
hours of man and mule labor, have a much wider application in the 
field of farm economics and farm management than costs which are 
given in dollars and cents. If the acre requirements for man and ~ 
mule labor are available, current rates for this labor can be applied 
and the costs for each class of labor per acre can be determined quite 
closely. 
There are other reasons why more attention should be given to a 
study of such basic requirements as hours of man and of mule labor. 
During the past two years farmers have been compelled to get along 
with a reduced supply of man labor. A study of the man labor 
necessary in performing different operations in the production of 
cotton in widely separated districts will tend to bring the more effi- 
cient methods to the attention of the grower. By applying some of 
these improved practices, practically the same acreage of cotton can 
be handled and essentially the same yields can be obtained as for- 
merly and with less labor. A complete story of farm practices and 
related costs for different areas, such as those in question, will show 
quite a wide range in time required for performing a given field 
operation. It has been pointed out that Ellis County farmers used 
much larger crew sizes than any of the other areas visited. ‘This 
accounts in part for the comparatively low costs reported for that 
county. Possibly Ellis County methods can not be adapted to other 
districts in toto, but it is probable that some of the characteristic 
features of Ellis County practice can be applied to advantage by 
farmers in other sections. 
Data on the normal seasonal labor requirements of crops are of value 
in any farm reorganization work. In making plans for changes in his 
cropping system it is useful for a farmer to know how man and mule 
labor is distributed throughout the season. The introduction of a 
new crop might so increase the peak load of labor during certain 
seasons that it would be impossible to care for the work which must 
be done. But if it is known in advance how much labor will be 
needed to harvest competing crops, then the acreage of each can be 
regulated so as to make the plan practicable. 
In order to make a comparison of the results which are obtained 
by experiment stations, investigational committees, and other 
