212 CHAPTERS IN RURAL PROGRESS 



from the Census of 1900, are given in round 

 numbers. Such a table is not conclusive as to 

 agricultural conditions. But it is very sugges- 

 tive as to the importance of New England 

 agriculture both industrially and socially. It 

 will be seen that, with an area only a little larger 

 than Michigan, New England compares in every 

 respect favorably with that average state and, 

 in some respects, excels it, while it excels both 

 Michigan and Iowa by 65 per cent, in gross 

 value of product per acre of improved land. 



(2) Agricultural conditions all over New Eng- 

 land are quite similar. Speaking broadly, the soil 

 and climate of one state are the soil and climate 

 of another. The people are of the same stock, 

 the same views, the same habits, the same tradi- 

 tions. The demand of the market is fairly 

 uniform for different sections. The New Eng- 

 land city is the New Englander's special pos- 

 session as a market. Farm labor conditions 

 are much the same. In fact, there is hardly a 

 portion of our country, of the same area, which 

 in all these respects yields itself more completely 

 to the idea of unity. 



(3) The hopefulness of the farm problem. 

 Nearly four millions of city people live in New 

 England. They must be fed. The nearness of 



