The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1911-09-09

Farms has not been compensated by
any growth in the size Of farms. the
average number of acres in farms hav-
ing decreased from LAG i'm 1900 to 13S
IN 1910 The increase in the total acre
age devoted TO agriculture was only
35,137,O0O acres, or AZ per cent Tho
actual area in farms was 1852, 900
acres in 1900 and S73,729,OOO acres i'm
1910.
Improved land, however, increased
more rapidly than the total farm acre
age or number of farms, the advance
being from 414,499,OOO acres in 1900 to
47I44S,OOO acres in 1910 a gain of g.
$4,000 acres, or 1872 per cent in 10
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 in Farm Values.
In striking contrast with the SLOW
growth in the number and acreage of
farms and the area of improved land
during the 10 years is the enormous
rise which has occurred in the value
of farm property. Farm land, exclusive
of buildings. which was valued at S13,-
O5S00S000 i'm 1900. had more than hou-
bled before 1910, being then returned
as having value of $2S,3S6,77 900.
The enormous increase here recorded
of $15,32S,762 900 represents an adj
vance of 1174 per cent i'm the value of
all land in farms.
1t is Immediately evident that the
relatively small increase in the total
acreage of farm land, AZ per cent. was
one Of the least important of the fac
tors causing the great increase i'm ag-
gregate value. The averafie value of |
farm land per acre increased from
1887 in 1900 to $32,49 in 1910, a gain
Of 1892 per acre, or 1857 per cent.
OF the factors contributing TO this
increase i'm the average value Of land |
the most important is doubtless that |
Of advancing farm prices of agricul-
tural products. This has increased the |
power of the farm |
and correspondingly influenced the
selling price or value of farm land |
1t is probable also that in calculating |
the value Of farm lands it has become |
to capitalize the incomes
terest than formerly. This might be
true, despite the fact that interest
rates in general have probably not
fallen. because of the reduction i'm the
risk Of the farming business.
Another important factor operative
value of farm land throughout the
United States has been the cost Of inn
proving what was previously unim-
proved land. including the expendi-
lures for the irrigation of dry land,
draining swamp land, filling and con-
surface drains for wet lands
stones and stumps. clearing
away brush, breaking up prair'e land,
building fences and making other inn
lroVcments exclusive of buildings. Ac-
'ordng to the census report these
changes affected 62,949,OOO acres. In
addition the farmers expended much
abor and money for increasing the
of various kinds upon
and which had been reported as inn d,
proved in 1900.
improvements Boost Values.
Allied to the foregoing expenditures !
we're those made by the farmers in the ,
orm of taxes for securing improved 4,
Dads, building bridges, constructing
and making other COM
nunitv improvements, which have +
doubtless increased farm values.
The fact that desirable free land has ;,
practically disappeared, resulting in an
Increase in the number of buyers, and
hat this number has been augmented