10 
BULLETIN 1271, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 
It was not until the wheat crop began to decline in relative im- 
portance that the production of beef and pork reached any signifi- 
cant proportions. During the two decades, 1900 to 1920, the rela- 
tive increase in the importance of hogs and "other cattle" was 
closely related to the rapid increase in the total production of corn. 
(Figure 5.) Prior to 1895 hogs were kept primarily for the pro- 
duction of pork for local consumption. Since that time the two 
significant factors in the increase in pork production are the general 
increase in pork prices and the rapid increase in the production of 
corn during the period from 1900 to 1919. 
Relation between the Corn Acreage and the Numbers of Hogs and Other Cattle in Cottonwood 
County, 1895-1920 
THOUSANDS 
60 
50 
40 
30 
20 
to 
1895 
1900 
1905 
1910 
1915 
1920 
Fig. 5.— Five-year moving averages. Expansion of the corn acreage in this area has been 
followed by the production of larger numbers of hogs and beef cattle 
Sheep formed a very important class of livestock in this area from 
about 1880 to 1895. They were brought in to utilize the large areas 
of pasture not under cultivation during those early years. With the 
passing of the range pasture and the increase in improved land in 
Farms that took place during the nineties, there was a rapid decline 
in the number of sheep. 
It is evident that in response to changing conditions individual 
farmers have been continually making adjustments in the kinds of 
crops and livestock produced. This has resulted in a complete 
shift from a system of cash-grain farming with wheat as a major 
crop to a system of livestock and grain fanning with corn and oats 
the principal crops and these largely marketed through the live- 
stock. Conditions affecting the profits in different lines of produc- 
tion will continue to be dynamic. Consequently, farmers who 
would scenic- the greatest continuous returns must, constantly make 
adjustments in the relative size and methods of conducting different 
enterprises. 
