AGRICULTURAL CONDITIONS IN SOUTHERN NEW YORK. 17 



These evidences of wluit can be done with the so-called "jibandoned 

 land" have had their effect — and a very noticeable one to a stranger 

 going into the section — both on the land and on its farmers. Land 

 that was for sale at almost any j)rice two years ago is now (1910) not 

 onlv ludd at considerably higher i)rices but much less inclination to 

 sell is manifested. 



At the same tune that this local work was being done a general 

 survey of the whole area involved was made, to determine just what 

 l)arts of the State were in the same condition and what the facts in 

 the case really are. In the second place, a careful study of condi- 

 tions and tiie causes of these conditions has been made, in order to 

 w^rk out the best future system or systems of management for these 

 farms. A clear idea of the real condition of affairs and the extent 

 of this condition has been obtained and the causes which have led 

 up to it determined. 



Many observations of successful and unsuccessful farming in these 

 areas indicate the best method of procedure in building up the most 

 successful systems of management, namely, those which will ])roduce 

 the largest income and leave the land in the best condition for future 

 production. 



The United States Department of Agriculture is not the only 

 agency which has been working on this i)roblem. The New York 

 State College of Agriculture, through field experiments and corre- 

 si)ondence, and the State Department of Agriculture, through its 

 farmers' institutes and its bulletins, have also given the problem con- 

 siderable attention. 



It is now proposed to take up in more localities detailed work of 

 the character which Mr. Monroe has done. This type of personal 

 work seems to be the best solution of the immediate problem, and not 

 only the best but the easiest way of correcting fundamental errors in 

 the i)rovaihng practices of this section. This work is to be done in 

 connection with the State College of Agriculture antl the State Depart- 

 ment of Agriculture. A cooperative agreement has been formed 

 whereby the funds for the work are to be supplied jointly by the 

 State and by the National Government. The energies of these three 

 agencies will be directed by a supervising agent, with headquarters at 

 Ithaca. All efforts to introduce better methods of farming in the 

 State will be made under the immediate supervision of this joint rep- 

 resentative and as a part of a general and systematic i)lan of work. 

 It is exi)ected that this plan will enable all three institutions to do 

 more v/ork along this line antl to do it more effectively. 



The opportunity to establish a ])ractical and successful system of 

 management on lands which can be purchased at remarka])ly low 

 prices is great. Many farms can be purchased for less money than the 



[Cir. 64] 



