CLEARING FARM LAND 27 



Other Benefits 



All these types of land improvement work have resulted in economic benefits 

 of some type whether measurable or not. The intangible or non-economic bene- 

 fits were important to the farm living but did not assist in paying the cost of 

 land improvement. For example, when the swamp was drained the mosquitoes 

 disappeared and it was possible to make a road to a hay lot beyond the swamp 

 after building a bridge over the ditch. In another instance a considerable sum 

 over the value of the land was spent to clear large boulders from a field which 

 was directly in view from the house. The owner knew that the cost was high 

 but considered the satisfaction of an open field as partial payment. Where stone 

 walls were removed, the satisfaction of no longer having the unsightly fence row 

 in the field was a part of the benefits. In some cases stumpland was cleared 

 chiefly because of the unsightly appearance of the field. Idle land which could 

 be made productive was a challenge to many farm owners and considerable pride 

 and satisfaction were gained when the work was completed. On many farms 

 the crop plan and dairy feeding practices have been adjusted when a new pasture, 

 or new area of silage corn or hay land was added to the farm unit through land 

 improvement. Some poultrymen have grown replacements for the flock on new 

 land which was cleared for range, when formerly pullets were purchased. Land 

 improvement to increase the size of the farm unit as well as allow greater use of 

 machinery has kept many people on the farm becau;e a reasonable living without 

 drudgery was in prospect. 



The benefits accrue to the farm as a whole rather than to the reclaimed areas 

 or farm enterprise in many cases of land improvement work. An improved 

 pasture or hay field may result in significant adjustments in number of cows, 

 growing of herd replacements, field organization, labor efficiency, and crop plans 

 in addition to merely furnishing additional feed. The farm as a unit may pro- 

 duce a greater increase in income than the value of feed from the improved land. 



Amortization of Land Improvement Costs 



The amount of money which could be paid for land improvement for various 

 crops and pasture may be determined by comparing the amortization costs per 

 year with the yield of crops necessary to pay the costs. In Table 5, the costs of 



Table 5. — Annual Charge and Crop Yields to Pay Land Improvement 



Costs 



*Interest for 5-year payment plan at 6*^ and for 10-year plan at 5% on unpaid balance. 

 **Hay at $20 per ton, pasture at $3 per cow per month, tobacco at 30 cents per pound, and 

 potatoes at $1 per buphel. 



