Although widely and sometimes bitterly discussed, little is really known concerning the relation between the effort expended and the returns obtained in producing the great staple farm products; yet one of the most important and vital considerations in the organization of a farm enterprise is the income, both gross and net, which may be expected from the different crops contemplated. Obviously the yield and price of the several crops will vary with the locality and with the season. It is, therefore, impossible to predict for any year either what yield may be obtained or what price will be secured. If, however, a sufficient number of years are selected, an average may be found which will form a basis for calculating the probable result for another series of years. The following table gives the yield and the average farm values per acre for five staple crops for five years, 1905-1909 inclusive, for the United States and for four widely separated states, viz., Pennsylvania, Iowa, Texas and Oregon. AVERAGE YIELD PER ACRE, 1905-1909. Pennsylvania Iowa Texas Oregon Maize, bu. 36.6 33.4 21.1 27.3 Wheat, bu. 17.8 15.5 9.6 20.6 Oats, bu. 28.9 28.9 26.6 32.8 Potatoes, bu. 84.4 85.8 67.0 119.0 Hay, tons 1.39 1.56 1.32 2.11 AVERAGE FARM VALUE PER ACRE, 1905-1909 Pennsylvania Iowa Texas Oregon Maize $22.59 $13.80 $12.17 $19.58 Wheat 16.61 12.42 9.11 16.10 Oats 13.33 9.28 12.97 15.20 Potatoes 55.87 44.75 65.15 71.18 Hay 18.74 10.13 13.92 19.60 Such figures as the above may be compiled by anyone at any time for any year or series of years from the yearbooks of the United States Department of Agriculture. They form a fairly sound basis for calculating the gross income which may be expected from the staple farm crops, particularly for the cereals, potatoes, hay, cotton and tobacco. Five questions, however, present themselves, which should, as far as possible, be settled before applying them to an individual problem. (1) How nearly do the conditions, especially those of soil and climate, of the given location correspond to the averages of the state? The question can be settled only by a thorough study of soils and their crop adaptation. It is a matter requiring study, experience and judgment.