REPORT OP THE STATISTICIAN. 



151 



ject of iuquiry in several different investigations. The following table 

 shows tlie results of those inquuies for 1880 : 



* No report. 



It will be observed that every State shows an increased average value. 

 A few counties report no change and still fewer a decline. The average 

 for the whole country is 8 per cent, increase. New England reports an 

 increase of 8 per cent. Timber lands here show a tendency to advance 

 in relative value, showing a gjowing scarcity of this kind of lands. In 

 Ifew Hampshire and Verinont the average value of timbered lands ex- 

 ceeds that of cleared lands, while in Maine there is comparatively little 

 diiference. In the three Southern States of this section wood lands are 

 comparatively lower. The proportion of urban to rural property and 

 population is so much greater, that the value of land depends more upon 

 its market crops. 



In the Middle States the average value of both classes of land has 

 advanced 5 per cent. The total area here is more than double that of 

 New England. The advance in x^rices is mostly caused by the exten- 

 sion of mining and manufacturing and is felt more strongly near the 

 centers of those branches of industry. Timber land also commands a 

 higher price. In the oil regions quite an area supposed to be rich in 

 petroleum is held by speculators for higher prices. 



The South Atlantic States have advanced their laud values 6 per 



