Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1911-09-13
900. maj Of farm buildlngs ssss.qoaogO:

mals, poultry and bees, $25,000.00o. All
these items of farm property have
shared in the increase which has TAX
en- place
The increase lit the value of farm
property has not been accompanied by
any appreciable increase in the num-
Der of farms, or by any increase what
ever in the acreage of farm land. The
number of farms. according to the
census report is 60,016. This is only
a little more than one per cent. great
er than the number reported in 1909.
The acreage of farm land is 6,296.Sj9
acres which is slightly less than the
acreage reported in 1900.
| 1t is suggested to kennebee journal
! readers for their thoughtful considera-
ton and tor their guidance in matters
of public policy that may come be-
that while the total farm acreage has
| not changed materially within the
| last 50 years, or since 1850, the value
| has increased marvelously. Anyone
who mas travelled extensively through
out Maine within the last few years,
and has the privilege Of comparison
years ago, can but remark the strik-
ing evidence of general prosperity in
the rural distrcts-the commodious,
convenient and attactive farm build
ings, the carefully cultivated acres;
the cleaned-up roadsides; the shade
and fruit trees, neatly pruned and
suggesting care, and love of the work;
modern machinery, within and with
out. the farm buildings; stock of bet
ter breeds and buildings in better re-
pair. Everywhere we find indica-
tions of thrift, interest and progress.
The farmers and their sons and daugh-
ters have awakened to a realization
of the farms attractions and advan-
tages.
Practical educators and practical
| farmers now go hand in hand and
the increasing benefits are seen from
| day to day. The sons, Which other
generations sent forth into the West
and the South, Australia and to Africa,
and to everywhere under the sun.
| where genius and advertising skill
set forth the possibilities of new reg
| ions. are learning that there are just
as good opportunities in Maine as any
| where else in the world. Some publ
| cations have ridiculed our suggestion
of a soil-ward tendency, and pooh
| poohed at the idea of turning to-
| ward agricultural and rural affairs.
| Yet we reafirm the tendency III TINS
| mart of the world toward a recogni-
/ ton OF the farmer as a social equal
| and rs an element of the population
that is absolutely independent ana
must be reckoned with in the future
The term farmer and country
man. no longer carry their meaning
| of contumely, or reproaeh. The Iarih-
| er is no longer necessarily an unedu-
| Gated chap. College men and mil
lionaires are finding a fascination IN
the discovery of what may be brought
forth from the soil, that is increasing
| " felt among the sons and daughters
| of the soil who no longer regard
clerkships and the like as caiihss
| far above that of their fathers. Hence
we claim that there is a turning 10
| the soil: that in the past ten years
Maine has made more progress thah
| in 40 years previous; that she would
think more than once before disturb
| ing conditions which are adding 10
her prosperity at the rate of S''ooo'VoV
yearly.
Another fact worthy of note is that
most of the farms in Maine are farms
which are operated by owners, DIS
distinguished from tenant farmers
the owned farms constituting 95I per
cent of the total number. About two
ed for cash, the remainder being rent
ed on shares. OF the 56.454 owned
farms in the State, 14,s4S, or slightly
more than onefourth, are returned
as mortgagcd. and right here we
would call attention to this important
fact that notwithstanding the eno'-
nous increase in farm values within
the State in the last ten years, the
proportion of mortgaged farms is no
greater than it was ten years ago.
| The average value of the mortgaged
| farm increased from $1449 in 1890 to
| $28G3 in 1910. The average mortgage
| debt Increased from s532 to $8i5 per
| farm, thus the debt increased less
than the value of the farm property.
| According to this bulletin, the farm
ers of Maine in the year 1909 expend-
cd $562s. l0G for labor $7,267, 500 for
| iced, and $4,069 40 for fertilizers The