Omaha daily bee., 1902-10-11
FARM LAND AS INVESTMENT
Attractive FSlturSs Of Agriculture a. q
Pursuit with Prsft.
SOME EXAMPLES TO PROVE THE POINT
w. VI. Ostrander of PhIIndeIphIa
Gives His Opinions and cites
Facts TO support His
Conclusions.

Of the best known real estate dealers in
the United states, contributed the follow
Ing article to last weeks issue Of The
Twentieth Century Farmer, from which
paper II is reproduced:
To discuss farm land as an Investment
In an exhaustive way would involve enough
subjects. almost. TO hll a book. l shall
discuss It in a general way only, emitting
statistical reports which are always, to the
average person, more or less tireeome.
In the FIRST place II would be we'll TO
consider a few general facts. The total
acreage for the entire country Is s4l ,201,-
b46. The total value OF farm products for
the year 1899 is given by the census bureau
At s4,TSs. lis, 752. Of which amount {1,71s,-
300, 221 was for animal products.
The number OF farms in the United
States has steadily Increased for the last
fifty years. In 1900 there we're nearly four
times as many farms as In 1850, and 20
per cent more than in 1890. Since 1880
the total acreage of farms has increased
more rapidly than the number Of farms, go
that the average size OF farms has in
creased. The most important agricultural
states, beginning at the east, are New
York, Pennsylvania, ohio. Indiana, Illinois,
Iowa and Missouri. Together they en-
brace "A per cent Of the total value Of
farm property and produce about 3s per
cent Of the total farm products.
Best Opportunities in Newer states.
The inference should not be drawn from
the above statements that the states mem
toned are superior to all others as fields
for investment. While these states con-
tain many Of the finest farms In the coun-
try, they do not offer the opportunities to
large investors that are offered by some
Of the newer states.
For instance, In the south, some sections
Of Georgia are now especially attractive
to investors. New railroads are now COW
ering heretofore untouched territories, and
bringing them within easy access Of north
ern markets.
The south probably offers larger fields
for investment than any other section Of
the country because of It's numerous I'M
developed portions. A great many thoue-
and persons 90 south each year for the
sole purpose Of developing land. Chicago
10 the center Of migration to the south,
and from there go many capitalists and
investors as well as seekers for permanent
homes. Southern fruit growing is becom-
ing more important in proportion to the
increased and improved shipping facilities.
The fruit Is now landed in perfect condi-
tion In northern markets, which, a few
years ago. we're totally inaccessible.
FEuhN 1EONlhB IN 6Ouhhs
Another interesting feature Is the fact
tina this year for the first time, fruit (prin-
cipally peachesl has been grown more or
less extensively among the large forest
trees. The fruit trees when grown in this
way get enough sun to promote a healthy
growth. while they are protected from the
frosts which 90 often prove injurious. For
this reason southern timber land often
proves a good investment for farming pur-
poses in connection with fruit growing.
In the far west land heretofore consid-
cred of little value has recently produced
some surprising results, For instance. land
adjacent to the Columbia river has pro-
duced q yield of wheat to equal or exceed
that OF the middle west-in some cases
ffty-six bushels to the acre. These results.
OF course, are due largely to improved
methods in fertiliEing and operating the
land.
Portions Of Wyoming. Montana, Colorado,
Nevada, Arizona and New Mexico have
never been developed owing to the lack of
irrigation. Should irrigation facilities be
furnished by the government. these Sec
tions would offer some great opportunities
for profitable investment.
Irrigation an Important Fact.
Irrigation has been an extremely import
ant factor in the past in developing certain
sections Of the country. and in all proha-
bility will be just as important in the
future. In a recent report I notice that
"a comparison OF the number Of irrigators
and the number Of acres irrigated at the
beginning and end OF the decade 1Ss9-1S9
shows that these have approximately dou-
bled."
Irrigation has produced many very re-
markable results. In fact some of the
most valuable agricultural land in exist
enee was at one time apparently worth
less.
Dakota land. for a long time very quiet,
has recently taken q strong brace. The de-
mand is principally for farms of large
acreage. Kansas land. with the exception
Of the more desirable portions, has reached
q very low ebb. and a heavy purchase Of
this land might result in immense profits
within the next few years.
Farm land adjacent 20 the large cities
principally OF the east, is always attract
i've to investors and practically sure 4
prove profitable II bought at a low price
All land. however. IL liable to hustuate in
value. aud because OF this fact II Is neees-
sary for q man TO be thoroughly Wide awak,
In order to be a successful land investor oil
operator.
Good Farming Affects Prices.
While the value of a farm as an invest
meDt is largely affected by local condi'
ti0ns. II Is also affected to a great extern
by the way In which It is operated. 4
farm may be bought for $50 per acre ant
after several years under expert manage,
ment sell for $40 or $50 per acre. I hav'
in mind a man who recently purchased
farm Of $40 acres in Bates county. Mis-
sourt, and has just beeen offered s42 Al
acre for IT,. This year his wheat yielde'
81 bushels to the acre and his corn VII
yield so 10 IS bushels to the acre. Hi
profits for the year look something likl
this; Profits on corn, $1,000 bushels, de
livered In December, $1,000; profits OF
hoes sold. s 1900; on hogs raised this year
about 81. 200; profits on wheat, 1870 bush
els. si,i0c; on fax. etc, about $1,000; an
the difference between the purchase prie
,os the farm and the price he has bee
offered for 1t, $3.50. The total profits vii
amount to about si5.slo. or nearly $3.50
net proht In one year, Just the price h
paid Tor the whole farm. This IL the stor
of a man who knew practically nothin
about farming when he bought the proper