4 BULLETIN 665, TJ. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 
It appears that farms of less than 40 acres are not large enough 
in general for any type of farm. In fact the larger the size of farm, 
the greater is the amount of profit under average conditions, at least, 
to the point where the operator can properly supervise the farm 
operations. 
INVESTMENT PER FARM. 
The average farm of 59 acres of crop land when developed repre- 
sents a total investment of approximately $14,000. Land represents 
slightly more than $10,000 ; dwelling. $800 : barns and other build- 
ings, $100; stock (including work stock.) $1,100 and cash on hand 
for running expenses, $350. 
The investment in real estate is somewhat greater acre for acre on 
farms that are developed for truck raising. The average acre value 
of truck farms is $184, of stock farms $145, and of staple crop farms 
$130. 
The value of work stock per head increases when the size of farm 
increases, indicating that a better quality of work animals is uti- 
lized on the larger farms. Approximately the same investment in 
machinery and tools is found on all types of farm, of the same size, 
but the investment is greater on the larger farms than on the small 
ones, and this machinery is more efficiently utilized on the larger 
farms. 
LAND CLEARING. 
The greater number of investors in farms at present buy uncleared 
land. The removal of the vegetation (see fig. 2) is the first step 
toward the development of the farm. This clearing is usually done 
by Mexicans under contract, which is cheaper than by day labor. 
The cost of clearing varies widely, depending upon the character and 
quantity of vegetation, the range on 52 farms being from $5 to $25 
per acre with an average of $11.65. 
After the land is cleared it generally requires some labor for level- 
ing. The tendency up to the present has been to give little attention 
to this matter. In order that land may be property irrigated it must 
be level or have an even slope. The leveling is generally done in 
connection with the first breaking of the land, the average cost of the 
combined operations on 51 farms being $4.75, ranging from $2 to $18 
per acre. Even a greater expense for leveling at this stage of devel- 
opment is justified, since it represents a saving in labor and an in- 
crease in production during the following crop seasons. 
DITCH CONSTRUCTION. 
The companies usually conduct the irrigation water to the farms 
through their main canals and laterals (see fig. 2). The farmer must 
construct the laterals (see fig. 4) for his own farm. A small farm 
level is an excellent investment for the purpose of laying out these 
