DEVELOPMENT IN THE UNITED STATES 329 



$9.77 in 1899, an increase of $6.53 per acre. This is an increase 

 in the average value of crops per acre of 66,8 per cent. With 

 these figures before us it is easy to see at least one of the reasons 

 why the reported value per acre of farm land has advanced so 

 rapidly. The total value of farm land increased because in the 

 first place there was an increase in the total quantity of land in 

 farms amounting to only 4.8 per cent. In the second place, there 

 was an increase in the improved land in farms amounting to only 

 15.4 per cent. These changes in themselves warrant a material 

 increase in the total value of farm land, but they do not justify an 

 increase such as I have recorded above. When we turn, however, 

 to the income from farm land and find that the average value 

 of crops per acre has increased 66.8 per cent, it is not surpris- 

 ing that the farmers of the country have reported their lands at 

 a higher figure than formerly. The remarkable feature of the 

 reports is that the farmers should be able to judge so .accurately 

 the justifiable increase based upon the increase in the quantity 

 of farm land combined with the increase in acreage of improved 

 farm land, which in turn is combined with the increase in value 

 of crops per acre of land actually in crops. 



Before leaving the subject it will be well to refer to other 

 causes for the increase in land values. Prior to 1900 (approxi- 

 mately) land was available in such large quantities that many 

 persons wishing to buy land were unwilling to do so because of its 

 producing capacity only. Much of the free land was equally as 

 productive as the land for which the buyer must pay a price. 

 Therefore the intelligent buyer, bought because of desirable location 

 and advantageous situation. Probably a considerable part of the 

 price paid was paid because the land was favorably located on a 

 river or lake, or because it was gently rolling or the water was 

 good, climatic conditions favorable, or the general outlook promis- 

 ing. Another part of the price was paid because of the adaptability 

 of the farm. It was easily tilled, the fields were regular in size, 

 there were no obstacles, the soil worked up well, or some other 

 characteristic of this sort prevailed. But probably more important 

 than either of these two facts has been the advantageous situation 

 with reference to the market. Either the farm was close to the 



