June, 1937] Land Utilization in New Hampshire 69 



Summary 



1. This bulletin reports a land use study of an area in southern 

 Grafton Count3% New Hampshire, where approximately 190.000 acres 

 of rough upland — mountains, hills and small valleys — is inhabited by 

 289 families. 



2. One hundred and eighteen of 252 farm operators sold less than 

 $50 of agricultural products, and only 19 sold over $1,000. 



3. Most families were dependent upon outside work for their living, 

 and little productive employment was available. 



4. Approximately one half of the families had a net earned cash 

 income of less than $200. 



5. The farm operators represented a wide variety of experience, 

 training and skills. Nearly half of them had moved to these farms 

 within 10 years. 



6. The history of the area indicates a rapid decline in agriculture 

 beginning about 1860. Evidently farm operators were attracted away 

 by better opportunities elsewhere. Only a few farms represent possi- 

 bilities for commercial agriculture. 



7. The soil and climate are especially favorable for the development 

 of timber, which seems to be the chief potential resource. 



8. Under private ownership by individuals and by corporations, 

 however, these resources have been depleted, and the local people have 

 little relation to the timber in employment or in management. The 

 forest area is badly culled but would lend itself to intelligent manage- 

 ment in building future resources. 



9. The presence of scattered isolated places requires costly services 

 in school transportation and road maintenance. This in time results in 

 higher tax rates and discouragement to timber management. 



10. One solution to the problem is to do nothing about it. In this 

 case the timber resources would continue to decrease, and most of the 

 inhabitants would either be forced out or w^ould require relief. 



11. It is doubtful if these particular people can improve their situ- 

 ation by merely moving to some other area. 



12. Four interrelated programs are suggested: 



Realignment of people to the resources and institutions by 



relocation of isolated homes to the vicinity of main roads. 



Reorganization of local government units and readjustment of 



public services. 



Development of resources, mostly timber. 



Relation of the resources to local people through employment. 



13. Realignment of people would result in savings in cost of public 

 services. Reorganization of local government would lower its costs. 

 Development of resources would provide possibilities of productive 

 employment. Relation of resources to the local people would give the 

 necessary employment to farm operators. A Forest Conservation Pro- 

 gram is suggested as preferable to public ownership in this area because 

 the people could be more easily and satisfactorily related to the re- 

 sources. This would require smaller investment of public funds, and 

 local people would retain control over their lands. 



