Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1921-08-18
Some Striking Farm, Figures

A MONG a multitude Of highly interesting
~ facts on the subject of farm values,
given out today by the Federal Census
Bureau, it appears that the South Atlantic
States are led by Georgia. One billion, one
hundred and thirty-eight million, two hun
dred and ninety-eight thousand, six hundred
and twenty-seven dollars is the total value OF
Georgia farms-lands and buildings-in the
official reckoning of the year 1920. This rep
resents a vast increase during the decade, for
in 1910 the total was only four hundred and
seventy-nine million, two hundred and four
thousand, three hundred and thirty-tWo dol
lars.
The figures for Georgia are the more I'M
pressive whea compared with those for the
other States sIassed by the Bureau as South
Atlantic. The record is: Delaware, $64,-
5000; Maryland, $3S6,596, 900; District OF
Columbia, $5,577,O0O; virginia, 81 WA 40 :
600; West Virginia, $41O,783,000; North
Carolina, s1,O76,392,0OO; South Carolina,
SS13,4S4,OOO; Georgia, $1,13S,29S, 900; Flor
ida, $2S1,449,0 900. 1t is worth noting more
over, that the Georgia farm values are much
in excess of the aggregate for all six OF the
New England commonwealth.
For the entire continental United States
farm lands and buildings represent a value of
sixty-six billion, three hundred and thirty
four million, three hundred and nine thou
sand dollars which is we'll nigh double the
figures of ten years ago. Much Of this in
crease is to be ascribed, no doubt, to the gen.
eral advance in prices during the world war
period, but as much or more may safely be
set down to agricultural development and
expansion, in which aspect the record is eX-
ceedingly cheering. The average acre value,
land and buildings included, increased with
in the decade from $37.37 to $62.65.
Particularly interesting is that part Of the
report showing the proportion, in point OF
value, between farms run by owners and
those run by tenants or by managers. In
1920, of the total value of all farms, "60.1
per cent represented farms operated by own
ers, 35.9 per cent farms operated by tenants,
and per cent operated by managers. This
as compared with 1910, shows a decrease Of
four and two-tenths per cent in the owner
operated farms and a corresponding increase
on the tenant side.
Gratifying as 1t is that Georgia's farm val
ues bulk SO large both in Southern and in
National comparisons, we shall do well to
chasten our pride until we have certain other
census figures yet to be published, those,
namely, showing the average acre value Of
lands by tSates and regions. Measured by
this obviously important standard, Georgia
hitherto has not presented an imposing stat
ure among her sisters. That she will stand
much better in the new census is certainly to
be expected, for during these ten years her
progress in highways, schools, agricultural
methods and enrichment of the human side
of rural life has been marked. These are
the factors that make for permanent growth
not alone in monetary valuations, but also
in wealth of mind and spirit, in social freedom
and progress. There is, indeed, but one sure
way to build up farm values, and to upbuild
the opportunities of the people.