FARMING IN THE BLUEGRASS REGION. 3 
data as would be necessary in making a complete analysis of the 
business organization of the farm.* 
GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF REGION. 
The bluegrass region borders on the Ohio River and occupies a 
somewhat circular area about 100 miles in diameter. (See fig. 1.) 
It is bounded by a rim of low mountains and the Ohio River. Lex- 
ington, a city of about 40,000, is southeast of the center. Richmond, 
Winchester, Paris, Georgetown, Versailles, and Nicholasville are the 
county seats of adjoining counties. All of these, except Richmond 
and Winchester, are connected with Lexington by trolley. Frank- 
fort, the capital of the State, 22 miles west, is also connected with 
Lexington by trolley. All towns of. importance throughout the 
region are connected by steam railways. 
Throughout the region connecting the main towns and villages 
are macadamized roads, many of them kept in excellent repair. 
Three main railway systems center at Lexington, connecting with 
the main large market centers of the interior and with all large 
seaboard cities on the Atlantic and the Gulf of Mexico. 
The Kentucky River rises in the mountains of the southeastern 
part of the State and takes a winding course through the central 
portion of the area. Small steamers and rafts ply this river through- 
out.its course in this region. 
Fic. Dee oross rection of Kentucky ioniameene bluegrass region, indicating Ge topog- 
raphy and the elevations above sea level. 
The topography in most parts, except in the vicinity of streams, 
is gently rolling. (See fig. 2.) The area is largely cleared of forest 
trees and 85 to 90 per cent is tillable. Farms vary in size from 40 
to 1,000 acres or more. The country generally looks prosperous. 
Most farms are well kept up and many farmsteads have luxurious 
appointments and surroundings. (See fig. 3.) Formerly, the plan- 
tation type of farm prevailed and the work was almost entirely done 
by slaves. There is now a tendency toward subdivision into smaller 
farms. However, many are still large and are run on the plantation 
plan, with hired laborers or share tenants, mostly colored, who live 
on the farm in cottages and are provided with gardens and a few 
other perquisites. 
1 Acknowledgment is due Messrs. B. F. Creech, Will D. Click, William Ballinger, L. C. 
Caldwell, and A. B. Thomas for collecting data for this bulletin ; also to Prof. J. S. Pullen, 
of the Hastern Kentucky Normal School, who assisted in collecting data in Madison 
County and gave valuable help in other ways. The cordial interest of the farmers who 
gave the records is much appreciated, and thanks are due them for the time given to 
this work. 
