One of these uncertain owners expected to farm again. The other was a re- 

 tired farmer who had not decided what to do with his farm. 



Four of the 14 owners of doubtful commercial size farms were not in- 

 terested in renting them. One was a part-time farmer making partial use of 

 his land, one expected to farm again, and one was holding his place for 

 sale. The fourth did not think a renter would take good care of his place 

 and he, an old man and widower, was still doing a little farming. Three more 

 owners of doubtful commercial size places were uncertain of their willing- 

 ness to rent. One of the places was for sale, one was an estate in transition, 

 and the third was an estate in which the heirs had not decided what to do 

 with the farm in the three years since the owner died. 



Table 15. Owners' Willingness to Rent in Three Towns* 



Size of Place 



Willing 



Uncertain Unwilling 



Attitude 

 Unknown 



* Greenland, Stratham, and Hopkinton. 



Twelve of the 39 owners of less than commercial size were unwilling 

 to rent. The reasons included: mistrust of renters in four cases, owner's 

 partial use in three cases, owner's intent to use in two cases, desire to sell 

 in two cases, and renting not worthwhile in one case — the fields were around 

 the house and little rent was expected. Eight owners of less than commercial 

 size places were uncertain about renting. The reasons included: mistrust of 

 renters in three cases, possible sale in two cases, rented for partial use in 

 two cases, and need to consider in one case. 



Interpretations. Very few of these reasons unquestionably exclude the 

 possibility that the owner might gain financially by renting. However, if 

 rentals or gains in value of land due to renting are very small, the owner 

 mav not feel them sufficient to compensate for even slight inconvenience asso- 

 ciated with renting. Several of the reasons imply that the owner is reluctant 

 to make any commitment which would at all conflict with his freedom of 

 choice with respect to future use or disposal of his land. If these owners have 

 full knowledge of their alternatives, including possible income from renting, 

 then the rental value of their farm land is low or the value of a fluid situation 

 is high. This may well be the case on places with small pieces of farm land 

 and high residential or other value. 



There are some indications, however, that not all are operating with a 

 full knowledge of their alternatives - - especially they may not know what 

 is involved if they are to farm successfully themselves or what is involved 

 in either costs and income if the places are to be rented successfully. How- 

 ever, as long as the unwillingness to make commitments exists, it creates a 

 serious obstacle to renting since most idle land is not immediately productive 

 and would require a few years to make it so. There may be situations where 

 it is temporarily advantageous for either owner or renter to make partial 

 use of land. Such use cannot be advantageous in the long run. however, since 

 it is by definition here a degree of use less than optimum and less than neces- 

 sary to retain the land in agriculture. 



32 



