FARM MANAGEMENT PRACTICE OF CHESTER COUNTY, PA. =) 
Certain enter prises may be distinctly profitable when occupying 
a minor position in the farm business and distinctly unprofitable if 
made major enterprises. This appears to be true of fruit growing 
in Chester County, and, to a less extent, of poultry keeping. 
On small farms the expense of operation is much greater per wut 
of product than on large farms of similar type. 
Diversity of the farm business is, as a rule, an important factor 
of success in farming. A medium degree of diversity, sufficient to 
give good seasonal distribution of labor, complete utilization of land, 
and a considerable variety of sale products, is better than either ex- 
treme diversity or a low degree of diversity. 
The more important applications of the above principles to the 
agriculture of this survey area are given below. It is believed that 
most, if not all, of these conclusions are likewise applicable to a wide 
region in the Middle Atlantic States where similar conditions as to 
soils and markets prevail. 
APPLICATION TO CHESTER COUNTY AGRICULTURE. 
Most of the farmers in the region of this survey have developed 
systems of farming that are approximately what they should be to 
secure the best results, but a large minority have not. The results 
eutlined below and discussed in detail further on should be of value 
to the majority in confirming their judgment and to the minority 
by showing them how their systems of farming may profitably be 
improved. 
Briefly stated, these are the more important conclusions bearing 
directly upon the possible improvement of Chester County farming: 
That the standard rotation of the section, namely: 
First year. Second year. Third year. Fourth year. Fifth year. 
Corn. Cone Wheat. Timothy and clover. 
Oats. | 
_ should be changed thus: 
First year. | Second year. Third year. Fourth year.| Fifth year. | Sixth year. 
Corn Corn Annual hay crop. Wheat Timothy and clover 
i | ; Potatoes. : y : 
That oats as grain are unprofitable here. 
That the average Chester County farmer should grow a little 
more corn than he needs for home use. 
That the total hay area (including annual hay crop) should Quan 
between 40 and 50 per cent of the land in crops. 
