JUDGING A FARM 283 



edly the most important factor influencing its value. The 

 distance to railways and markets influences greatly the cost 

 of producing farm products and is the most important factor 

 in determining the kind of farming to be practiced on the 

 farm. Many kinds of farming, such as gardening and fruit 

 growing, are possible if the farm is located a great distance 

 from markets and railroads. The labor supply, the neigh- 

 bors, the conveniences, such as telephone, trolleys, and rural 

 mail routes, should be observed in considering the location 

 of the farm. The distance to school, church, grange, etc., 

 should also be considered. 



Taxes 1 Per Cent. Taxes should be considered, for some 

 farms admirably located near cities may be less desirable on 

 account of the high tax rate. 



Water Supply 4 Per Cent. Running streams always add 

 to the value of a farm. If running water is not present, the 

 farm should have good wells. 



Improvements 18 Per Cent. The house, barns, and other 

 buildings should be suitable to the farm. Too extensive 

 buildings or too poor or too small buildings are not desirable. 

 The condition of the fences and their arrangement should 

 be considered. Good orchards and vineyards are an asset 

 to a farm. 



