16 



MASS. EXPERIMENT STATION BULLETIN 387 



distance from their home communities. Moreover, the growth of residential' 

 recreational, and other uses of land in rural areas has provided many oppor- 

 tunities for the local farming population to render various services, including work 

 with their teams. With the increase in all kinds of construction work in both 

 cities and rural areas, and the introduction of modern highways, there has been 

 a constantly increasing demand for such materials as gravel and sand. This has 

 resulted in more intensive utilization of gravel and sand pits throughout the State 

 wherever favorable sites are available. This is one type of industrial activity 

 based on local natural resources that has experienced an upward rather than a 

 downward trend in the rural areas of the State. 



Land Values 



In some areas the most important factor contributing to the curtailment of 

 the amount of land used for agricultural purposes is the demand for land for 

 other uses, largely related to residential, industrial, and certain types of recrea- 

 tional activities. When land becomes important for these more intensive uses, 

 people are generally willing to pay higher prices for land. High land values, 

 however, in many areas of Massachusetts, are not necessarily associated with 

 actual use of the land for these more intensive purposes. It is sufficient for people 

 to recognize that certain areas have a potential importance for other uses which 

 may come in the immediate future or over a period of time. There may also be 

 mistaken judgment, and certain areas may never come into the expected use. 

 Nevertheless, as long as people generally agree that a higher use is forthcoming, 

 the land values may be out of all proportion to values justified by the present use. 

 In communities where land areas are aflfected by present or potential considera- 

 tions for more intensive use, farm land is ordinarily valued at a higher level than 

 is justified by its agricultural importance. 



FRANKLIN 



BERKSHIRE 



HAMPDEN 



HAMPSHIRE 



WORCESTER 



BR\STOL 



ESSEX 



MIDDLESEX 



NORFOLK 



PLYMOUTH 



BARNSTABLE 



$5L4a 



$56.29 



$74.77 



$60.21 



$80.67 



$132,36 



$167.77 



$175.78 



$206.8a 



$211.51 



$228.81 



DOLL ARS 

 100 150 



Chart IV. Value of Farm Land and Buildings, per Acre, by Counties 

 Based on U. S. Census. 1940 



