54 N. H. Agri. Experiment Station [Bulletin 298 



years an artificial standard of life that has gradually become more and 

 more complex. Must all conform to this pattern, or is it possible that 

 in some instances nonconformity to the general standard brings a richer 

 content of living to the particular family ? Who is to say that the man 

 who hunts and fishes and loves to be alone in the forest is in maladjust- 

 ment with land even though only small sums of money flow through his 

 hands ? 



It is far safer in this complex life to place the responsibility for de- 

 cisions in these matters in the hands of the individual, making restric- 

 tions only where large public or social costs and considerable detriment 

 to the public interest are involved. 



Dorchester Center. The church, the town hall and the school were built 

 to accommodate a large population, but now only the town hall is used. 



3. People in general reorient themselves in this complicated social 

 order rather slowly. The older person who has found his lifetime skill 

 no longer in demand or who has faced defeat and retreat over a period 

 of years finds realignment to more complicated conditions very diffi- 

 cult and is probably happier under a situation of some security even 

 though associated with very meager living content than under one of 

 new activities and changing skills that is associated with a feeling of 

 great insecurity. Security is a great human goal, and after all is part 

 of the content of living. With many, especially older people, it is often 

 the dominant factor. 



4. Our thinking as related to farm economy has been built around 

 the man in the prime of life who can aggressively push productive 

 processes. Unfortunately we do grow old. and in addition many both 

 old and young lack the physical or mental ability to operate a large 

 commercial farm. Many small farms in New Hampshire are the havens 

 of older men and those in ill health from both city and country, both 

 rich and poor. What will be the future trend in migration from cities 

 and from other rural sections of dift'erent classes and ages of people 

 who love the country? With lessening demand for older men in in- 

 dustry and with a trend in the direction of old age pensions, will more 

 people retire to plots of land ? 



Small farms located along main roads in a persisting community are 

 useful and attractive for this purpose even though they have little 



