OCR Text |
Show RECORD OUTPUT Farm Productivity Increases CHICAGO. -Measured on a volume vol-ume basis, farm output in recent years has been 30 to 35 per cent higher than the 1935-39 average, according ac-cording to an article in the Northern Trust company's monthly publication. publica-tion. The gain. It is pointed out. was recorded despite a decline of 10 per cent in the number of farm workers. Although generally favorable weather and longer hours in the fields aided in the production record, rec-ord, the article contends that more important factors were greatly increased in-creased mechanization of farming methods, wider use of improved crop varieties of the hybrid type, shifts to crops and livestock requiring requir-ing relatively less labor per unit of output and Increased use of fertilizer fer-tilizer and lime for soil enrichment. Approximately twice the amount of fertilizer used 10 years ago is being be-ing used now, use of lime has increased in-creased threefold and acreage planted plant-ed with hybrid seed corn, for example, exam-ple, has increased from "less than 5 per cent of the total corn acreage 10 years ago, to more than 65 per cent now." Since the yield from hybrid seed is about 20 per cent greater than from common strains, "the effect upon overall output is clearly evident." Further, farm productivity was increased in-creased because production of meat animals, requiring about one-third as much labor per unit of production produc-tion as dairy products, has gained. The tremendous advance in mechanization mech-anization of farming methods is one of the most important factors in bringing about the record production produc-tion of recent years, however, the article stated. Between 1940 and 1944 tractor production increased more than 25 per cent, mechanical corn pickers more than 35 per cent and grain combines and milking machine installations more than 50 per cent. Increased productivity and lowered low-ered costs coming from mechanization mechaniza-tion "give hope that the farmer may through increased per capita production, produc-tion, attain the same standard of living as the industrial worker does i with the large assortment of tools I provided for him," the article con- ! eluded. I |