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



Table 14. Summary of the assessed value, taxes paid, and gross sales of 



agricultural products of occupied places grouped by priority of 



sub-areas. (See Plate 8) 



A brief description of the situation associated with these 70 locations 

 is important. There were 5,265 acres in farms, 1,1-1:9 of which were 

 classed as tillage. In livestock, 73 cows, 26 heifers, 39 horses, 1,550 

 hens, 16 pigs, and 53 sheep were inventoried. Sales of agricultural 

 products totaled $10,238, a considerable portion of which was for poul- 

 try products. Sales of forestry products amounted to $3,602. The 

 191 tons of grain purchased cost $6,213, and total operating farm ex- 

 penses were $25,115. Value of products consumed on the farm was 

 estimated at $9,750. Income for labor off the farm totaled $12,708, 

 and receipts from relief, pensions, etc., totaled $5,902. A study of these 

 data will indicate that the average occupant in Area 5 has a very 

 low living content. An average of $90 cash per family for living ex- 

 penses, without allowance for debt, does not indicate a very logical rea- 

 son for remaining in this sub-area. In addition the children are 

 deprived of certain opportunities. Even though tuition is free, these 

 individual families cannot afford transportation to remote high schools. 



On the expense side, the occupancy of Area 5 involves the transporta- 

 tion of 40 children at an estimated cost of $4,000 and the additional ex- 

 pense of winter and summer road service. There are 105 miles of road 

 in Area 5, of which 11 miles including State roads are required as 

 links between other areas. Probably $11,000 to $15,000 net expense 

 is the price of occupancy of sub-area 5. If it were abandoned, the 

 savings in cost of public services would equal the assessed values of 

 occupied farms in 4 to 8 years. If it were purchased and resold for 

 timber value, the gains in public finance would be important. Such 

 realignments are essential as one step in the process of adjustment. 

 This program to be effective would require the use of zoning power as 

 a check against the building of shacks or dwellings in abandoned areas. 



A State policy requires either the eventual abandonment of such 

 areas as 5 or the building of good roads and the maintenance of costly 

 services to each location. Since it is not socially profitable to build a 



