During the ll-year period from 1940 to 1950, the overage farm in the Vnlted States grew from 174 acres to 2H'i acres yet the actual number of farms decreased by 713,000. by 673,803,000 bushels; wheat by 212.109.000 bushels; oats. 218.684." 000 bushels; and soybeans 1.792.000 bushels. Four factors have helped bring about these crop production in creases, says the Middle West Soil Improvement committee: (1) high er yielding, disease resistant new crop varieties; (2) increased use of commercial fertilizer containing nitrogen, phosphate and potash: i >3) more mechanization of farm [ work which enables a man to do more in fewer hours; <4> greater realization by farmers of the need for building and maintaining the soil's fertility level. Higher crop yields mean a great er drain on the soil's fertility re sources.

62.6%