Kentucky ;Qlg1't('lll-li’l(7'(lZ Eacperimcint Station 13
ente1·prise and, finally, the better standardization of products
and their effective cooperative marketing, will greatly im-
prove the farm income under normal conditions.
, A cursory study of Kentueky’s agriculture serves to point
out the present weak spots. They are largely factors which
enter into the production of crops and animals and the ef-
fective utilization of land. Marketing losses and failure to
i standardize products to meet the buyer ’s needs are necessarily
important factors affecting the returns to the farmer. In-
, vestigations have shown, however, that the fertility of the
. soil, the production of legumes, the utilization of land to its
_ capacity, the effectiveness of labor and economy in production
of crops and animal products, have more to do with the net
l income of the farm than other factors. The proportionate
L total farm income received from tobacco is perhaps as large
_ as may reasonably be expected. Growers have developed to-
- baeco acreage beyond the point of greatest advantage. It
therefore follows that increases in agricultural income must
_ be largely obtained from the application of improved methods
S to present production or from other enterprises which may be
, profitably developed. The latter point may be illustrated by
, the possibility of increased poultry, lamb and horticultural
_ production in the state. The area of farms, climatic condi-
E tions, possible markets and available labor, all appear favor-
V. able to increasing the poultry industry. A limit may not be
, set as to production, but it seems apparent from a long time
_ viewpoint that poultry production in this state, if economically
carried on, could profitably be doubled or trebled. Likewise,
in the sheep industry. the production of a superior type of
L early spring lamb offers an unusual oppo1·tunity to farmers of
_ this region. This is a product in which competition with other
S states is limited and which represents the production of a
; luxury always relatively in great demand. l·lorticultural A
  production. especially of orchard and small fruits, offers pos-  
I sibilities in many farm areas. Ilere again is a tield of pro- '
,2 duction of certain crops, in which Kentucky has advantage
, of climate and location. lt is worthy of note that investiga- ,