White Bluffs spokesman. [volume] (White Bluffs, Wash.) 1907-1938, 1935-10-17
BACK TO THE LAND

BACK TO THE LAND
The "back to the land' movement of the past
few years is than just phrase. 1t is an actu-
atty as shown in the recent statistics compiled
by the agricultural census Of last winter.
AS shown by these figures, it is general move
ment, more or less uniform throughout the coun-
try. The increase in the number of farms in this
state during the past five years, which follows
closely the trend throughout the nation, is about
Is per cent At the same time, the average acreage
per farm is increasing while, of course, the value
of farm land has decreased to greater extent
Benton county, with an increase OF approximately
II per cent in the number of far1ns is not far be-
hind the average increase in the state.
In reading these statistics, it is interesting to
analyze the reasons for this change. The most ap-
parent is that people employed in Cities thrown
out of work, or faced with that possibility, and
having few savings, turn to the land as the most
secure place. Part time work, the opportunity to
grow the winters supply of food, and a small
cash CROP offer great inducement to purchase a
small tract of land.
Then too, there are those who have lost their
farms during the drought, and have migrated to
other states to make start
Without doubt, this movement will continue
at this pace for number of years to come, and
with it will be steady shift from one farming
and other problems are already confronting the
growers of many districts of this state, we'll as
others. There will be natural shift Of population
from such districts to those with more natural adj
vantages.
There is every indication that the Priest Rapids
valley should be one of the favored districts dur
ing the next few years None of the problems
which are becoming so serious elsewhere confront
the landowners of this district, and many of the
problems which are considered major ones here
are even serious in other districts.
In checking over the cost of production, the fol-
lowing comparisons may be made between this
valley and other farming sections of the state:
The value of land in this district is less than
half the general average of the state which means
that today, smaller investment is required to
own land here than in the average district of
Washington.
Taxes against farm land in this district
among the lowest in the state, and when it is
that in some districts taxes amount to as much as
$25 per acre, this problem may be considerd very
minor one here.
The cost of water per acre in this district, while
generally considered high is as matter of fact,
about the as the average cost in the state,
and compares very favorably to many districts
which pay two or three times much.
While some other districts pay less for water,
they are, in general, confronted with the cost of
drainage or faced with erosion flood
troll programs in the FUTURE none of which apply
to this district.
The problem of markets for produce grown in
this district has, in the past, been troublesome
one, but with the successful operation of the CO.
operative cannery this year, solution to that
problem seems assured and with it, a solution to
the problem of transportation.
MESCAL IKE BY 5. L. HuNrLEY