New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-10-21
RECLAIMING Ny. FARMS
Convention at Syracuse First WOOe-
ment T07card National did.

Washington. Oct 20 (SpeciaD-Th, New York
State farm convention when it assemblies at SYRIA
cuse Wednesday. will mark the official begin
! ming of the first movement recognized by the ma
/ tional Department Of Agriculture for the improve
ment of farming conditions in any one state. The
convention has been indorecd by President Roose-
Welt, and the movement it represents VIII have all
the i'd the federal authortieS are able to give it.
President Roosevelt has written a letter to Giles
StilweIl. president of the Syracuse Chamber of
Commerce. which will be read at the opening Of
the convention. and which explains his views on
the matter fully. James Wilson. Secretary of Agr-
culture. viii make address, and DR.. J. A. Bon
steel expert soils will speak on that phase
of the agricultural question.
W. F. Carr of the division Of soils. will illustrate
an address with lantern slides of abandoned farms
in various parts of the Mr.. Carr will try to
show that the soil of these farms is as good
when theN were deserted, and tests of the soil Of
particular farms will be reported Mr.. Wilson IS
enthusiastic over the convention. and said recently
'As result OF the convention predict that within
year shall hear very little Of the abandoned
farm"
Ii las been shown by the figures of the census of
1900 that there were that year 1888 less farms in
New York than in 1850, This decrease is not due TO
the absorption of small farms by larger neghbors
for there has been considerable decrease IN the
acreage of hand under cultivation.
In the course of the convention it will be shown
that while Georgia has improved her agricultural
condition greatly since 1870. when her fortunes were
q
OF the period of reconstruction, New York. which
at that time in a most hourishing condition
from the point Of view OF agriculture, has gone
backward.
The Department Of Agriculture has prepared re-
ports recently from every county in New York and
In almost every there has been no improve
ment in farm values since 1900. The exceptions arc
noted in the o; counties like Erie. where the
demands of the city of Buffalo for garden truck
have resulted in considerable increases in the value
Of lands suitable for truck farms.
Oneida, a hop county. reports an increase in val
ues. and some counties where dairy farms in
the majority also report prosperity Among these
are Ontario formerly hay and grain centre: Del
aware Oswego, Steuhen and Ulster. In West
chester, Putnam, RoCkland and Orange counties
there has been increase I'm values. due solely to
influx of wealthy New Workers seeking TO build
up estates. This applies in measure also TO
Nassau County. while Suffolk reports increase
in values owing to the demand for farms by sober
and industrious immigrants
Many counties report that there would he an I'm
provement of conditions II help could be obtained.
Among these counties Columbia and Duchess.
which lose many farmers yearly account of their
proximity to New York. Monroe. Tioga. Steuben.
Oswego and Genesee have had good deal 10 con-
tend with in this respect, have Chenango and
Clinton. Cayuga. Albany and Alegany can get no
help and values down.