Farm Types in Nebraska 
37 
SIZE OF FARM IN RELATION TO SOIL 
From the preceding discussion one might be led to infer 
that the position of size-of-farm lines in the Great Plains is 
seldom affected by soil. The series of maps last referred 
to (Figs. 24, 25, 26, and 27) can also be used to illustrate cer- 
tain soil effects. The “Flint Hill” section in Kansas was men- 
tioned during a discussion of 160-acre lines. In 1880 this sec- 
tion stood out as an island of half -section farming in eastern 
Kansas. In 1890, 1900, and 1910 the size of farm is seen 
to be somewhat reduced but it still stands out as an area oc- 
cupied by relatively large farms. The Sand Hill region in 
north-central Nebraska has even a more marked effect upon 
the size of farm. On the map of 1880 (Fig. 24) the two-sec- 
tion and one-section lines in northeastern Nebraska bend 
sharply to the east in order to avoid the Sand Hills and border- 
ing areas of more or less sandy land. In 1890 these lines enter 
the eastern Sand Hills. In 1900 they recede to the eastern 
edge, where they almost meet the half -section line which has 
moved a little to the west and is just beginning to bend east- 
ward in order to avoid sandy land. By 1910 the two-section 
line has passed beyond the Sand Hills, leaving behind it an 
island of very large farms to occupy the western part. While 
section farming has again entered the eastern Sand Hills, 
half-section farming in 1910 still skirts the edge. 
SIZE OF FAR 31 IN RELATION TO RAINFALL AND ECON03IIC CONDITIONS 
A cross-sectional measurement of size of farm in the 
Great Plains region will bring out certain facts concerning 
rainfall and economic conditions more clearly than can be 
pointed out from maps. Figure 16 is a cross-sectional meas- 
urement following approximately the line of 240 month-de- 
grees from Iowa across southeastern Nebraska and north- 
western Kansas into Colorado. The purpose of following a 
given quantity of heat is to eliminate in as far as possible the 
effect of heat upon the size of farm. The choice of this par- 
ticular quantity of heat was influenced by the fact that it 
crosses the Great Plains at a point where soil variations are 
