12 BULLETIN 5&i, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 
upon an understanding of the data upon which they are based. 
Emphasis is laid upon the fact that the price zones as mapped and 
given in tabular form within the appendix represent normal condi- 
tions determined by a five-year average (1910-1914), showing regular 
and definable tendencies, both general and local. 
These geographic price differences are not fixed; they are slowly 
changing with other economic conditions. This phase is more fully 
treated on pages 24-27, wherein are shown the steadily diminishing 
price differences in wheat between exporting western and importing 
eastern sections, coincident with the decline in transportation charges, 
attended also by a decreasing wheat production in the East. Simi- 
larly, marked changes occurred in Mountain States disadvantageously 
situated as to markets, in which formerly — when deficient in wheat 
supplies — very high prices prevailed, and where now there are low 
prices, since these States have eventually come to produce a surplus 
of wheat. 
Subordinate to the general price movement, temporary deviations 
from the usual price relationships are foimd. A local crop failure 
may occur, or the crop may be of poor quality, and a region, usually 
exporting, must bring in supplies. The Kansas corn crop was prac- 
tically a failure in 1913, because of a severe drought; large quantities 
of corn had to be brought in for local needs. As a result, the farm 
price ratios were disrupted, the Kansas farm price becoming con- 
siderably higher than that of adjoining States, even exceeding that of 
Pennsvlvania, although usually about 10 cents per bushel less. 
(See fig. 2.) 
JD£TG. /, /S/S &£&. /, /&/<# sVl/Sfr^tt ^O/P S y/PS. /&//-/S 
Fig. 2.— Usual and unusual farm-price ratio per bushel of corn, Kansas and Pennsylvania. 
A very striking illustration of deviation from the usual sectional 
farm price ratio is afforded by the situation in the Pacific Coast 
States in 1916. The Pacific wheat surplus could not follow its usual 
course to Europe because of the scarcity of ocean tonnage, hence it was 
shipped by rail to eastern markets. The ordinary price progression 
of the far western States gives higher prices as the Pacific ports are 
reached; Idaho and Montana, at a geographical disadvantage to 
eastern and Pacific markets, represent areas of lowest price. Because 
of the eastward rail movement in 1916 the geographic situation was 
reversed, and Montana wheat brought higher farm prices; similarly, the 
price disparity between Pacific and eastern surpluses was widened, the 
higher rail freight being substituted for cheaper ocean rates. (See fig. 3.) 
