Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1911-09-10
FARMS IN THE UNITED STATES
Wealth of the Country as Shown by
Agricultural Statistics.
NEARLY THIRTY-FTvE BILLIONS
Great Increase in Value of LGnds and
Buildings and n Correspondents
Jump in the Aggregate
During Ten Years.


tinental United States collected at the
thirteenth decennial census Apr.l Ii, 1910
It f. based on a preliminary comparative
summary by Dr. lie Grand Powers, chief
statistician for the division OF Agriculture
in the bureau OF the census and 1t STU
plenents a brief preliminary notice issued
in July last.
Tho figures here given are subject to
revision. inAsmuch as there is small
number of farms. the returns for which
ara incomplete, which will be included in
the final tables. Such additions, however
will not materially modify either the
amounts or the rates here stated Further
information with regard TO the acreages
and yields OF the various crops and the
number and value OF domestic animals in
the United States will be published later,
when the tabulahon OF the material has
bean completed.
Slow Increase in Number of Farms.
During the ten years which followed the
census of 1900 the population OF the United
States increased q per cent. but the num-
Der of farms did not keep pace with the
increase in population. From 5,7a,372 In
1900 the number grew to 6,340257, an in
crease of 6O29s5, or 1917 per cent. For the
whole United States this is the lowest
rate Of increase which has been noted
since the number Of farms was first re-
corded in 1850. Measured by number of
farms, agriculture exhibits a diminished
rate Of increase, and in large areas of the
country is practically stationary.
Land in Farms.
The small growth in the number Of
farms has not been compensated by any
growth in the size OF farms, the average
number of acres In farms having decreased
from 14e in 1900 to 1Ss in 1910: The increase
in the total acreage devoted 10 agriculture
was only S51S7.000 acres, or 40 per cent.
The actual area in farms was sSs, 59o 900
acres in 1900 and s7S,72sOoO acres in 1910
Increase in Improved Land.
Improved land, however, increasd more
rapidly than the total farm acreage or
number of farms, the advance being from
E4449OO0 acres in 1900 tp 477.4ls.0O0 acres in
1910 a gain Of 62.9l9.00O acres. or l62 per
cent in ten years. Yet this percentage OF
increase was only about two-thirds the
growth Of population. showing that at the
best the number OF acres under cultivation
and used for the production OF crops had
not kept pace with the increase in the
number OF people
Increase I'm Farm Values.
In striking contrast with the slow growth
IN the number and acreage of farms and the
area Of improved land during the ten years
is the enormous rise which has occurred
in the value OF farm property. Farm land.
exclusive of buildings, which was valued
at $13O6s, O0sO00 in 1900 had more than
doubled before 1910. being then returned
as having a value OF SOS. $50, 10000 The
enormous increase here recorded OF SIS, s2S,
$4,000 represents an advance OF MA per
a.. - am t.
1t is Immediately evident that the rela-
lively small increase in the total acreage
Of farm land. ~ per cent, was one of the
least important OF the factors causing the
great increase in aggregate value. The
average value OF farm land per acre in
creased from 1857 in 1900 to 40 in 1910
q gain OF $l6.92 per acre, or 1857 per cent
OF the factors contributing to this in
crease In the average value OF land the
most important is doubtless that OF advan-
cling farm prices of agricultural products.
This has increased the income-producine
power OF the farm and correspondingly In
fluanced the selling price or value of farm
land 1t is probable also that in caleu.
lating the value OF farm lands it has
become customary 20 capitalize the income
producing power at q lower rate OF inters,
than formerly. This might be true, despite
Inc AeeCt Nudl libc1eot rates III general ndNe
probably not fallen, because Of the rductior
IN the risk OF the farming business.
Another important factor operative ir
Increasing the total and average value OF
farm land throughout the United state,
has bean the cost OF improving what wal
previously unimproved land, including
the expenditures for the irrigation OF DRY
land. draining swamp land, thing and
constructing surface drains for wet lands
removing stones and stumps, clearing
away brush. breaking up prairie land, build.
ipg fences. and making other improvement.
exclusive OF buildings According to tn,
census report these changes affected 62,9ls
900 acres. In addition the farmers ex
pended much labor and money for increas
lag the improvements Of various kind.
upon land, which had been reported a,
improved in 1900.
Allied 70 the foregoing expenditures wer,
those made by the farmers in the form
o. taxes for securing improved roads, build
Ing bridges. constructing school houses
and making other community improve
ment, which have doubtless increased farm
values.
The fact that desirable free land ha,
practically disappeared. resulting in an in
crease in the number OF buyers, and tina,
eNcA
Increased demand for homes IN the oper
country, has caused an upward movement
in values. At the same time the owner
Of farm lands are less willing to sell thai
formerly appreciating as they do III,
lower cost Of living in the country as wei
Is the growing importance Of land owner
ship. They place q value on the farm a
, . home as we'll as q place 70 work 10
q living.
In connection with the increase in tn
average value OF farm land. 1t Is interest
ing 70 note the fact that in the past dec
ade, a. for many decades previously, Their
has been q much more rapid increase Il
urban than IN rural population. The popu
alton classed by the census bureau a
urban constituted ass per cent % the tota
in 1910 as compared with 405 per cent Il
1900 In several states. ana In many eoun
ties in other states, there has been an act
uaI decrease in rural population since 1905
and In most areas, where this IL true Their
has been a remarkable Increase In value
OF farm land
Farm BuilatnGs and MAehineFy.
n n not alone farm land which has In