CLEARING FARM LAND 3 



terms of cost-benefit comparisons, and to siudy the significance of land reclama- 

 tion for the future of agriculture in Massachusetts. 



The methods employed in land improvement work in Massachusetts in recent 

 years are quite different from such activity a century ago. The economic setting 

 and the outlook for the future have changed. A hundred years ago farming was 

 a much larger part of the whole economy-. There were relatively fewer other 

 opportunities and means of making a living. Also, farming was largely on a self- 

 sufficing basis, with most of the essentials for living coming from the farm. It is 

 another proposition to clear land and make a living in a complex exchange 

 economy in which most of the requirements for living are obtained by purchase 

 with money obtained from sale of farm products. Part of the larger change in 

 outlook is indicated by the changes in number of farms, acreages in farms, and 

 acreage of improved land. 



According to the census of agriculture, there were 31,897 farms in Massachu- 

 setts in 1939 with a total of 837,632 acres of improved land, an average of 26 

 acres per farm. In 1849 there were 34,069 farms listed which contained 2,133,436 

 acres of improved land or 62 acres per farm. Changes in types of farming were 

 largely responsible for this variation in improved acreage per farm. A larger 

 number of intensive vegetable, small fruit, cash crop, and poultry farms with a 

 limited acreage of improved land were listed in recent years of the census. An 

 increase in the number of part-time farms has tended to reduce the average 

 acreage per farm. The commercial dairy, cash crop, vegetable, and fruit farm 

 of recent years contained a greater acreage of improved land than was indicated 

 in the census for 1939. 



From a regional and national point of view there is now sufficient land in farms 

 to supply needed quantities of food and fiber. Future requirements for food 

 probably can be met from increased production per acre. All farms will need 

 to operate more efficiently. In many parts of the United States the future will 

 undoubtedly mean fewer but larger farms. Larger economic units will be needed 

 to support the people who make their living from farming. Likewise in Mass- 

 achusetts, increasing the size of farm will mean fewer farms. If the adjustments 

 in size of farm can be made only through expensive land improvement operations, 

 it is all the more important that careful study be given to costs and probable 

 returns, before the work is undertaken. It is also important to remember that 

 what will work for the individual will not necessarily work for a group or for all 

 the people in a town or a county. 



The only data available on acreages of land improved by use of power equip- 

 ment in recent years are a set of estimates. No accurate measurement or count 



Table 1. — Estim.\te of Farm Land Improvement by States, for 1940-44. 



Type of 

 Land Improvement LTnit Mass. Conn. Vermont R. L Maine* 



Land cleared 



Timber and brush acres 2.730 6,083 2,289 2,545 430 



Stumps acres 1,365 980 510 215 80 



Boulders acres 1.860 3,733 1,541 370 1,020 



Fruit trees acres 450 1,364 79 145 — ■ 



Other acres 1,400 — 400 125 — 



Land drained acres 1,390 2,340 8,734 — 415 



Total improved acres 9,195 14,500 13,553 3,400 1.945 



Stone walls removed linear yards 10,100 30.666 7,330 3,000 1,600 



* Estimates for Aroostook and York Counties in Maine. 



