CORN IN THE GREAT PLAINS AREA. 
11 
tions obviously varies with soils and other conditions. The average 
shown in Table II has been determined from the actual experience 
of a large number of men connected with these investigations — 
experience that has extended over a wide range of conditions and 
many years of time. 
The factors included in the cost of production are calculated on 
an acre basis for each of the separate operations performed, begin- 
ning with the preparation of the land and ending with the harvesting 
and shocking of the crop. To these items are added the cost of 
seed, at 22 cents per acre; interest and taxes on the land investment, 
calculated at 8 per cent on a valuation of $20 per acre; and the 
deterioration and repairs of the binder, at 15 cents per acre. No 
allowance is made for the deterioration of other farm equipment, as 
it is believed that the wages assigned for men and teams are sufficient 
to cover this item of expense. 
Table II. — Average cost per acre of the farm operations involved in growing corn in the 
Great Plains area. 
[The wage scale assumed is $2 per day for each man and 81 per day for each horse.] 
Operation. 
Plowing 
Disking 
Harrowing 
Subsoiling 
Drilling 
Cultivating 
Listing 
Harvesting: 
Cutting and binding 
Shocking 
Twine 
Binder wear and repair. 
Force em- 
ployed. 
Men. Horses. 
Day's 
work. 
Acres. 
f 
35 
15 
16 
10 
Item 
cost. 
$0.62i 
.50 
• 22£ 
.15 
Cost 
per 
acre. 
$1.71 
.75 
.17 
1.43 
.40 
.38 
.60 
1.50 
Table II shows the cost per acre, based upon what is considered 
an average day's work for each of the farm operations involved, at 
the above-mentioned wage. The cost of production as computed 
in Tables II and IV is not offered as being absolute for any locality, 
either in the amount of labor required or its cost. It is recognized 
that the labor cost will vary with individuality and conditions. The 
cost of twine to bind an acre of corn obviously varies with the char- 
acter of the crop. The assumed land value would be too low for 
many sections of the Plains. The estimated cost used in the table 
would be low for even an average crop in sections where heavy 
yields are obtained. Recognizing these and other possible variations, 
the cost shown in the tables is used simply to give a working basis 
for the comparison of the results by different methods. 
