42 OREGON FARMER 



character of improvements. As a rule both extremes, either the farm 

 that is altogether unimproved or the opposite case, one that is over 

 improved, are over-valued or over-priced. A good house is the most 

 important building improvement to seek. It can generally be 

 purchased more cheaply than built. Costly farm houses, however, 

 may be out of proportion to the capital invested in the rest of the 

 farm, for they produce no income. Comfort and modern conveni- 

 ences, in any case, are an essential part of modern rural life that 

 any farmer can have if his business success justifies it. Other farm 

 buildings are desirable only if suitable. Otherwise, they are of 

 little value. Oregon farms are as yet rarely over-loaded with 

 building improvements. Good buildings on good land are generally 

 bought at their real value. Good buildings on poor land are valued 

 too high. 



The kind, condition and arrangement of fences is important. 

 Good woven wire boundary fences are a valuable part of the purchase. 

 Rail or other inferior fences are often purchased at a loss, as are also 

 division fences. Such fences waste land, increase labor and harbor 

 pests and in modern systems must be removed. 



In Western Oregon most farms have the advantage of a wood lot 

 thrown in at no cost. Wood is especially valuable where located 

 on waste land so that it does not mean eventual cost of clearing. 



Good family orchards are very common and effect an important 

 saving in the living cost. 



The acreage and quality of the area of the farm actually under 

 cultivation or cleared should be used in determining the real price 

 per acre. Waste land should be cut out entirely in figuring the price. 

 It generally will do no more than pay its own taxes. All undrained 

 land or poorly drained or alkali spots should also be eliminated or 

 cost of reclamation included in figuring the real value per acre 

 compared with the price asked. Little money should be paid for 

 waste land and uncleared or unreclaimed areas should be figured 

 correspondingly low. In irrigated lands the amount, cost, upkeep, 

 and right to water, and danger of alkali, should be considered. 



Land in Western Oregon to which one is a stranger should be 

 examined in March when bare and the physical conditions and the 

 drainage are easily discerned. Land in Eastern or Central Oregon 

 should be examined in July at the dryest season and during harvest. 

 Known land should be examined at harvest time and the character 

 of the season and the weather should be taken into consideration. 

 Never should land be purchased after only one trip of inspection. 

 A second inspection alone, from a different direction, always pays. 

 The conditions on surrounding lands, crop yields obtained and 

 opinions of neighbors will often disclose additional facts. 



It should be remembered that land values are variable within 

 relatively short distances. Advertising often creates high prices 

 in certain sections. Often land equally as good a short distance 

 away may be found at much lower prices. 



Buy on real value as guaged by production, not on trading or speculative 

 value. Study a region or even live in it a while before buying. The 



