Fewer Farms, Larger Size

WASHINGTON — For the first time since before the Civil War, the number of farms in America has dwindled to fewer than 2 million.

The total has fallen to 1,925,300, the lowest since 1850, the year Millard Fillmore succeeded Zachary Taylor as President, the Census Bureau reported Wednesday.

The number peaked at 6.8 million in 1935.

While there are fewer farms, the just-released report from the 1992 Census of Agriculture said more efficient methods boosted output to $163 billion. Between 1987 and 1992, average farm size increased to 491 acres from 462 acres, the report says.