Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-03-17

1925. The census of 1920 disclosed a
farm population of 31,614,00o. but this
included probably several hundred thou
sands who lived in villages and who
were excluded from the 1925 figures and
subsequent estimates.
The peak of farm population was
reached in 1910, when it is estimated
there were 32,076,000 persons on farms
In the United States. There have been
fluctuations since then. but a general
tendency to decrease, accumulated In
the last 10 years in particular.
Statistics disclose a story of migration
from agricultural sections, however,
which does not establish a theory that
the rate Of decrease in farm population
has direct relation to depression In the
prices OF farm products. Some States
began to lose farmers as far back as
l880-the abandoned farm is not a re-
cent development of American life.
Not only has there been a decrease
In farm population, but the acreage un-
der the pillow, and otherwise in actual
use, has decreased. From 1919 to 1924,
the last period for which definite fig
ures are available, there was decrease
OF 100000 acres in crop land. Yet
crop production is per cent higher
than In 1919.
Horses and mules are decreasing on
the farms: tractors are increasing.
Electricity and the gasoline engine per-
form much labor formerly done by
hand. The combine, introduced first in
the great grain fields of the Middle
West, has marched eastward and Is no
novelty on the Atlantic seaboard. Bet
ter seed is being planted; more pro-
ductive live stock fills the pastures and
feeding yards. In 1910 there we're 217,-
100000 apple trees in the country. The
total has declined to around 138000,-
600, but commercial production of
apples has increased through better
selection.
Many of the changes In agriculture
are due to shifts in crops. and other
wise. While since the war upward of
100000 acres have gone out of use,
the substitution of mechanical for
animal power on the farms has resulted
IN releasing about 100000 acres of
crop land Formerly required to feed
horses and mules. The difference is a
net gain for production of crops for
human consumption. About third of
the increase in crop output in the last
decade Is attributed to higher yields per
acre, due to more scientific farming.
In considering farm relief legislation
or other aspects of the agricultural
problem there Is no necessity for i'm
mediate fear that the urban population
may Starve from lack of food from the
farms.
Prices, admittedly, may increase. and
probably will. The best farm lands
may be In use, but there are about
6O0,000.000 acres available for the pillow
or for pasture which can be brought
under cultivation-and this without de-
veloping any irrigation projects or
other expensive works.
n \ y
Furthermore, Department of Agri-
culture figures show that In the last
40 years the average yield per acre of
wheat in the United States has in
creased II per cent: potatoes, 80 per
cent; corn, Is per cent. and oats, ID
per cent. And contrary to the general
impression the greatest gains in yields
have been in the older sections east of
the Mississippi River.
war demand for agricultural products
caused crop land to be brought In at
rate of about 10 years ahead of the
natural increase. The present recess
sion III cultivation appears to be mere
ly a lag to permit demand to overtake
supply.
The move for legislation to help
stabilize agriculture Is the result of
production of crops in excess of domes-
tic demand. The exportable surplus
causes the rub And while average yield
per acre has increased, the surplus of
farm products, and hence the violent
price fluctuations, are due largely to
variations between seasons In the yield
per acre rather than to differences In
acreage planted In specific crops. the
yield variations being mainly due to
seasonal conditions and therefore be-
yond the control of the farmers.
fCopyright, 1899