Hoiv tlie Eastern Farmer Has Fared. 121 



partment has recently been investigating tlie deprecia- 

 tion of farm values in this State. "Half a dozen of the 

 leading agricultural counties of the State show declines 

 in total farm valuations of from 10 to 40% since 1880. 

 The abandoned farms of the State contain over 1,200,000 

 acres, an area equal to the whole of Ehode Island, or half 

 that of Connecticut. Many farms can be bought to-day 

 at 50% less than the cost of the building thereon." "The 

 counties that show largest depreciation in value of farm 

 lands lie along the great highway of commerce and popu- 

 lation between the East and the West, including the rich 

 valleys and fertile low-lying hills of the Mohawk 

 region traversed by the New York Central Eailroad." 



The Xorth Atlantic Division, when compared with 

 other sections of the nation, shows a surprisingly small 

 gain in number of tenants, only 26.5%; this against a 

 South Atlantic gam of 82%, North Central 76%, South 

 Central 151%, and Western of 244%. The percentage in 

 gain of tenants in Pennsylvania was 28.5, New York 

 35%, while in Massachusetts the percentage was but 

 14.7%. Why this comparatively small gain in the num- 

 ber of rented farms in this division of states and 

 especially in Massachusetts? Light is thrown on the 

 subject by a prominent Massachusetts man. Ex-govern- 

 or Washburn said: "All men speak well of agriculture, 

 but all who can shun it." The farmers here are in close 

 proximity to the manufacturing centres, where far larger 

 profits and wages are received than in agriculture. Why, 

 then, should men become farm tenants! 



The Deceptive Aspect of Census Returns in the Value 



OF Agricultural Products. 



If the agricultural situation is as has been described in 

 this and preceding chapters, how can the great increase 



