ABSTRACT
The essential virtue of quantitative data is that it can be classified and replicated with precision, so that comparison over time and space is possible with a minimum of ambiguity. Most regional variations occur in a more or less gradual way, so that zones rather than lines should be used as boundaries. During the evolution of geography as an academic and practical discipline, the concept of regionalisation played an important part. The most regularly occurring element in the pattern of concentric agricultural regions is the zone of market gardening found adjacent to many cities. Regional and national authorities should be able to obtain solutions to problems of economic and regional planning. In order to combine different enterprises other conversion factors are necessary, enabling both crops and livestock to be equated. Increased use of financial criteria has aided in the recognition of regional variation in farming intensity.
