GEOGRAPHICAL PHASES OF FARM PRICES : CORN. 13 
States. The East and South, however, draw the greater part of 
the corn shipments from the surplus-producing territory. In the 
Mountain and Pacific States the quantities produced and consumed 
are unimportant compared to the other sections, but the ratio of 
corn importation to production and the degree of deficiency are 
very high. Of the amount consumed on farms, about 57 per cent 
is apportioned to the North Central States, 35 per cent to the South, 
and 6 per cent to the North Atlantic States. 
As indicated by figure 3. the North Central States, which comprise about 
25 per cent of the total land area and less than a third of the total popula- 
tion, produce about 65 per cent of the crop, and consume on farms alone about 
three-fourths of the production of the two groups, or about half of the national 
crop. This section is first in the aggregate value of all live stock produced. 
After deducting the heavy local consumption, the remaining surplus, which is 
only about a fourth of the production of the two groups, still constitutes nearly 
seven-eighths of the amount entering trade channels. Of the 12 States in these 
two divisions only 7 produce a surplus ; the northern 5 import considerable 
quantities. These " seven corn-surplus States," so called, ranked as to amount 
of surplus in 1911-1915, are : Illinois. Iowa, Indiana, Nebraska, Missouri. Ohio, 
and Kansas. 
The South contains about 40 per cent of all land in farms in the United 
States and produced in 1911-1915 30 per cent of the corn crop. Practically the 
entire production is consumed locally, very little entering into trade channels. 
Total requirements for consumption on farms, live stock in cities, mills, and in- 
dustrial uses bring large quantities southward. It is well known that corn to 
some extent takes the place of wheat for food purposes throughout the greater 
part of the South. While cheaper than wheat, corn prices usually about equal 
the ordinary prices of wheat in the States to the North. High and irregular 
price levels prevail. Local conditions and the character of the distributive 
machinery make for irregularity in the price zones. The highest degree of corn 
deficiency in the South obtains in its most southern States, and the high prices 
prevailing there preclude extensive use for feeding purposes. The major part 
is grown in the northern tier of States. 
The largest movement of corn is directed toward the North Atlantic States — 
the comparatively densely populated industrial section. Only a very small 
fraction of the corn produced in these States enters trade channels. As the 
farm consumption is considerably in excess of production, shipments are sent 
here for this use as well as to fill urban requirements. An amount equal to 
half of production, and in most of the States largely in excess of production, 
passes through merchant mills alone. The deficit under combined requirements 
for farms and merchant mills is approximately 85 million bushels. The cities 
draw additional quantities for live stock and for export. 
Mountain and Pacific divisions consume but 2 per cent of the national pro- 
duction, but even this consumption is several times the amount grown. Corn 
generally equals or exceeds wheat in price in these States. The percentage 
grown which is of merchantable quality is comparatively low. 
