The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1916-01-22
FARM SURVEY OF
BOOKE COUNTY
is INTERESTING
WAS MADE TO DETERMINE PRO
FITABIE TYPES OF
FARMING.
Climate Well Suited 20 Carrying or
General Farming. Says Report
Of Invest gators.

The result of an agricultural survey
OF Brooke county Is contained in a bull.
letin just published by the Department
OF Farm Management OF the West Viz
ginia University Agricultural Expert
ment Station. The bulletin. which
comprises thirty-two pages. contains
many interesting facts and is profuse-
ly illutratsd.
The survey was made in the sum
mer OF 1914 by the office OF farm man.
agement OF the bureau of plant indus
/ try, United States Department OF Agri-
culture, cooperating with the West
Nir Virginia Experiment Station ana
the Pan Handle Agricultural club. q.
NJ. Johnson and A J. Dadisman car
red out the work and compiled the re-
port
/ II is explained in the report that
/ Brooke county was selected for the
survey because it IS typical OF north
ern West Virginia and the interest or
the Pan Handle Agricultural club was
such as to make the work Immediately
useful. The result OF this survey is
compiled from the records OF 2Ol
farms.
Purposes Of Survey.
The purpose OF the farm manage
ment survey. the bulletin sets forth.
was to determine the most profita bic
types OF farming, the status OF agricul-
tural production and the methods or
farm management now practiced in
this region. IF a farm is TO be a bus
mess success # must pay farm expens-
es. interest on he investment and
wages for all farm labor" says the
bulletin.
This county is part OF an ancient
upland plain which has been dissected
by ages OF erosion" according to the
report. In some parts OF the county
there are small areas OF coal and Pc
troleum. Practically all OF the orig
inal forests have been removed and
the land which Is not too steep is
being cultivated or used for pasture.
The climate is we'll suited to carry
i~S on general farming. The average
date OF the last killing frost in spring
is about April II. and the first in the
fall about October 26. thus the grow
ing season Is approximately 200 days.
The average rainfall is about 40 inches
more than proportional part OF which
falls in June and July.
The soil OF % per cent OF the coun-
~ IS clay loan. Along the streams
there is some rough stony land which
can hardly be called a soil type.
The chief crops are corn. oats.
whea. rye. hay and truck crops. on
some farms fruit growing is OF con
siderable importance Sheep and dairy
cattle are the chief livestock grown.
Labor Income Averages SIPS.
/ "Ihirty-eight farmers made over
5000 labor income. OF these IA were
tenants and "a owners. About one
farmer In each FIVE is making a labor
income Of $500 or more Three farm
ers make over 50 900 labor income.
: The average age Of the POI farmers Is
80 years. The tenants average about
10 years younger than the owners who
are operating farms"
The results OF this survey show
what may be expected from farming
under conditions similar TO those in
Z Brooke county" says the bulletin IN
summarizing the export The aver
aga labor income Of the POI farms Is
sl-5. In addition 20 this the farm has
furnished a home for the family and
products for the table. such as milk.
butter. eggs, vegetables and meats. To
Do business success a farm must nav
all expenses, interest on the invest
ment and wages for all labor Der.
Formed by the farmer and his family.
I nut farm may be a success when %
furnishes home and a living and
gives pleasure 20 ,he owner"