The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1911-09-13
FARM STATISTICS
SHOW A BIG DROP
Last Ten Years Shows Small
est Increase in u. S. Farm
Lands Since 1850.

WASHINGTON. Sept. 13.-Census
director Durand gave out today an
important advance statement from the
bureau OF census containing additional
figures and details OF the agricultural
statistics OF continental United States
collected April Is. 1910.
During the ten years which follow
ed the census of 1900, the population
! of the United States increased Il per
cent, but the number of farms did not
keep pace with the increase in popula-
ton. From 5,737,372 in 1900, the num-
Der grew to 6,34O,357, an increase of
co., 1886. or 10.5 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
recorded in 1850. The increase in the
total acreage devoted to agriculture
was only 35,137,000 acres, or AZ per
cent The actual area in farms was
! 1852, 900 acres in 1909 and 873.729,-
900 acres in 1910.
Improved land. however, increased
more rapidly than the total farm
acreage or number of farms, the adj
vance being from 414,499,000 acres,
or 1872 per cent in ten years.
In striking contrast with the slow
growth in the number and acreage or
farms and the area of improved land
during the ten years is the enormous
rise which has come about in the value
OF form property. Farm land, exclu.
Sive Of buildings, which was valued
lat $13,O5S. 900 in 1900, had more than
sdaubled before 1910, being then re-
turned as having value of $685.
10000. The enormous increase here
recorded OF $15,32S.762.000 represents
an advance of ia per cent. in the
value OF all land in farms.
OF the factors contributing to this
increase in the average value of land
the most important is doubtless that
of advancing farm prices OF agricul-
tural products. This has increased
the income producing power OF the
farm and correspondingly influenced
the selling price or value OF farm land.
Il is probable also that in calculating
the value of farm lands it has become
customary to capitalize the income
producing power at lower rate OF
Interest than formerly. This might be
true, despite the fact that interest rat
les in general have probably not fallen,
because of the reduction In the risk
Of the farming business.
Another important factor operative
in increasing the total and average
value Of farm land throughout the UNI
ted States has been the cost Of improv-
ing what was previously unimproved
land.
In connection with the increase in
the average value of farm land, 1t Is
interesting to note the fact that In
the last decade, as for many decades
previously, there has been much
more rapid increase in urban than In
rural population. The population class
ed by the census bureau as urban con-
stituted 46.3 per cent. of the total in
1910, as compared with 40.5 per cent.
in 1910. as compared with 4O.6 per
cent. in 1900. In several states, and
in many counties in other states, there
has been an actual decrease in rural
population since 1900, and in most ar
cas- where this is true there has been
q remarkable increase in values of
farm land.
(. It 10 not alone farm land which has
increased in value. Farm buildings
valued In 1900 at $3.556, $4,000 have
Increased to $6.294,737,0oO in 1910, a
growth Of n per cent. implements and
machinery show corresponding but
slightly less pronounced growth in val
ue. In 1900 they represent $749, 776,O00
and in 1910 $1,262. O22. 900, an increase
In value OF $50 per cent.
Hired labor on the farms Of the
United States absorbed in 1900 an ex-
penditure Of 1857 1892, 900 and in 1910.
3645, 612 900, an increase OF SOC per
cent. Expenditures for fertilizers are
much less important, being in 1910,
SHAFT 900. Compared, however.
with an expenditure of $53,432 900 in
1900, this represents an increase of
1850 per cent.
The number of farms operated by
white farmers was 5.422.s92, or s5.5
per cent. of all farms, while the num-
her operated by negro and other non
white farmers was 917.465 or 14.5 per
cent. OF the whole.
The total number of farms operated
by owners, including those owning on
" part of the land operated by them
was 3,933,905 in 1910, as compared
with 3.653,323 In 1900. an increase OF
2S0,3S?. The total number operated
in 1910 by tenants was 2,349,254. as
against 2.024,964 in 1900. an increase
OF 324.290. The number conducted by
hired managers was 57,39S in 1910 and
59,0S5 in 1900, a decrease of 1857.
IN 6Mn 0llHcHnlAlA