CHOOSING AND BUYING A FARM 525 



similar farm on a branch line. The more rapid shipment 

 and travel, as well as the better advertising that the 

 region receives, are of great importance. 



332. Neighbors. The character of the neighbors is 

 just as important from the standpoint of profits as from 

 the standpoint of the home. One's success is very largely i 

 controlled by the community. Except in a few cases, ' 

 such as when products are grown for selling in the home 

 market, the type of farming should be the same as that 

 of the community. (See page 98.) 



The character of the labor supply is also of great im- 

 portance. If the farm boys of the neighborhood are 

 planning to be farmers, they furnish the best farm labor. 



333. Taxes. The tax rate has little significance when 

 different regions are compared ; because farms in one 

 region may be assessed at nearly full value and in other 

 regions at less than half value. The amount of taxes 

 paid, and the cash value of the farm should be used to 

 see what the tax rate really is. 



334. Community improvements. Telephones, trol- 

 leys, churches, and schools all represent investment by 

 the community. If these are not developed, they must 

 be gone without or must be paid for by the farms in the 

 future. Every community improvement adds to the 

 value of farm land. 



335. Prospective development. The probable de- 

 velopment of the region must be considered. The possi- 

 bility of new railroads, trolleys, and improved wagon 

 roads should be taken into account. 



The possibility of a rise in land values from these or 

 other causes is a very important consideration. A very 

 large part of the profit in farming in many regions comes 

 from increases in land values. Land in America is a 



