Evening journal., 1914-07-01

The average value OF farm lanu per
acre for the whole state is S33,63; the
averages for the individual counties
range from S24.45 in the southern to
S52 90 in the northern county.
Between 1900 and 1910 there was an
increase Of 1857, or 9.5 per cent, in
the population of the state, and an in
crease Of l,l49, or ll.9 per cent, in the
number of farms, while there was a
decrease Of over 27,0O0 acres, or 2.6 per
cent. in the acreage of farm land, and a
decrease of about 40.500 acres, or 54
per cent in the improved land in farms.
The average size OF the farms decreased
from ll0l to $50 acres.
Farm Property Values Increase.
Farm property, which includes land,
buildings, implements and machinery,
and live stock domestic animals, poul.
trv and bees). has increased IN value
during the decade nearly S22 100000, or
55.2 per cent. Almost half OF this
great increase was due to land which
advanced sll 100000. or AZ per cent. in
value; and about q third to an increase
of 81 ,55l 900. or 70.S per cent. IN the
value OF buildings. There was also an
increase Of over 81 100000 in the value
of implements and machinery, and over
81 100000 in the value Of live stock. In
considering the increase OF values IN
agriculture the general increase in the
prices of all commodities in the last 10
years should be borne in mind.
The average value of farm with its
equipment in 1900 was slightly over
$4,000. while TO years later it was more
than $500 The average value Of land
alone rose from S22.29 per acre IN leoO
to SS363 in 1910.
In the so years since 1850 the popula-
! tion of the state has increased by
III, 900, or l2l per cent.
The number of farms in Delaware,
which in 1910 for the first time ex-
ceeded 10000, showed a slightly greater
increase in number from 1900 to 1910
than during any other decade, this in
crease amounting TO l ,l49 farms, or an
average Of nearly ll5 per year. The
rates Of increase during the decade IN
the different counties were 81 per cent
in New Castle, l09 per cent. in Kent,
and 1871 per cent in Sussex, increasing
thus from north to south. The rela-
/ tive increase for the State as whole
was greatest in the decades between
! 1850 and 1880
The land surface of Delaware is APP
proximately .257 600 acres. Of this
area. OBS .S66 acres. or SIG per cent,
are included in farms, representing a
decrease of 2.6 per cent. during the
last decade. Of the farm acreage, 7l3,-
53s acres, or 6S.7 per cent, are re-
ported as improved land, representing
56.7 per cent. of the total land area
Of the State. The reported acreage
Of improved land in farms shows a
little more than twice as great rela-
tive decrease as the total acreage in
farms. the percentage of farm land
Improved being slightly lower than in
1900
The total farm acreage shows a con
tinuous increase during the first ~
years for which figures are given, but
for the last 30 years the acreage has
been, on the whole. decreasing. tn,
acreage Of improved land increased
continuously until 1900, but has de-
creased Ga per cent. since that date
During this period llS90-l9l0l the pro
portion Of the total land area Of tn
State which was occupied by farm
decreased from 500 to S26 per cent
while the improved land decreased from
1922 to 8s7 per cent. OF the total lant
in farms.
s6s,ooo,ooo In Farms.
The total wealth in the form of farm
property is s63, 900, of which SAL
per cent. is represented by land and
buildings. 81 per cent. by implements
and machinery, and los per cent. by
live stock. The total value Of farm
~
nearly 500 100000, or 55.2 per cent. OF
this increase SIS, 100000 represents the
increase in the value of land and build.
ings, 81, 100000 in live stock, and ST.,
O58. 600 in implements and machinery
From 1900 to 1910 the relative gair
was greater than during any other dec
ade since 1850. while for the two dec
ades ending in 1880 and 1900 decreases
of value we're reported. The absolut'
amount of the gain from 1900 to 1917
was more than one and one-half time
that reported for any other decade.
In average size the Delaware farm
has continuously decreased from
1877 acres in 1850 to 95.9 acres Il
1g1O-over so acres in go years. tn
decrease during the last decade, IA.
acres, was the largest for any de
cade during the period while tina
of the preceding decade, "a acres
was the smallest.
The average values of the severa
classes Of farm property, except i'm
plements and machinery, Increase
most rapidly during the first and las
dcades shown, the increases betwee
1900 and 1910 being greater than tn
net increase for the preceding hal
century as q whole. During the hal
century however, the values huctu
ated considerably, showing a genera
downward tendency subsequent
1870. In the case Of implements an
machinery a constant increase
shown from 1850 to 1910, but the in
crease from 1900 to 1910 was create
than that shown for any precedin
20 years. The value per farm {
farm equipment, which includes in
plements and machinery and liv
> stock is nearly two ana half time
as great as It was so years ago an
a little less than one and half time
as great as 10 years ago.
iii The average value of a Delawar
| farm, including its equipment, Is
/ little more than $5,S00 Of whic
about $4,000 represents the value
land and buildings, S629 the value
implements and machinery.
While farms increased 1,l49
number during the last decade, II
number operated by owners and mar