GEOGEAPHICAL PHASES OF FARM PRICES ! CORN". 17 
A brief analysis of the salient features of Tables 2 and 2A, by geographic sec- 
tions, follows : 
West North Central States. — This division leads in corn production with 
35.9 per cent of the total ; contains 17 per cent of the total land area and 13 
per cent of the population. It is. however, second to the eastern division of the 
North Central States in the quantity, as well as in the percentage, of the crop 
which moves to markets. Freight rates on corn to the Atlantic seaboard or to 
the South are higher from the corn States west of the Mississippi. This places 
those States at a disadvantage in selling either for export or to important 
domestic markets, and consequently encourages in these western States the 
feeding of corn to live stock and the production of meat. Prices are lowest in 
this group. It ranks first in live-stock production and quantities consumed on 
farms. The per capita production ranges from 15 to 159 bushels, by States. 
The section is only third in the quantity of corn ground in merchant mills. 
Out of its seven States the three farthest north, North Dakota, South Dakota, 
and Minnesota, do not usually produce a surplus. Here higher prices prevail, 
increasing with distances from the area of surplus. -i 
East North Central States. — Second in point of production, this division 
shipped in the five years under consideration the largest quantity and highest 
percentage out of counties where grown (42.9 per cent). Prices here are higher 
than in the corn States to the west, but lower than in other sections. A 
strategic position at the head of the Great Lakes, between the Ohio and Mis- 
sissippi Rivers, with cheap water transportation and nearness to corn-deficiency 
States, gives this division more favorable conditions with regard to markets. 
It ships out a larger share of its crop than the corn States west of the Missis- 
sippi and feeds lesser proportions. This division is first in the quantities con- 
sumed by merchant flour mills. It is more densely populated than the western 
corn States, and its per capita production ranges from 20 to 66 bushels. In 
Michigan and Wisconsin, however, where production is less than consumption, 
prices are higher than in other States of this division. 
South Central States. — The east and west south central divisions are about 
equal as to quantities produced ; together they raise a fifth of the United States 
crop. Three out of the 16 States — Kentucky, Tennessee, and Texas — produce 
the major part of the crop of this group of States. The general conditions 
pointed out in the discussion of the Southern States with regard to corn 
deficiency and prices prevail here. 
South Atlantic States. — In production, this section measured about 10 per 
cent of the national total. The three northern States (Delaware, Maryland, 
and Virginia) contributed about 65 per cent of the quantity entering trade 
channels from this group of States. The deficit under combined requirements 
of farms and merchant mills is around 16 million bushels; to this should be 
added demands for urban consumption and industrial uses, as well as the move- 
ment to the seaports for export. Farm prices of corn in the more southern 
States of this section are higher than in most other States except in the far 
southwest. The same general conditions obtain as were indicated for the entire 
southern group. 
Middle Atlantic States. — Containing 3 per cent of the total land area and 
leading in point of population (21 per cent), this section produces only 3 per 
cent of the national corn. Here farm uses absorb substantially the entire local 
production, which is less than needs even for this purpose. It ranks second 
as to quantities ground in merchant mills. To requirements for the latter, 
which swell the volume of shipments to this group by 59 million bushels, should 
55985°— 18— Bull. 696 3 
