22 



N. H. Agricultural Experiment Station [Sta. Bull. 314 



ably apply more management. It is difficult to outline projects that 

 will be socially sound for all locations and all conditions. 



But no doubt many non-commercial farms have woodlands on which 

 some degree of management is desirable. It may be well to consider 

 various woodland practices which can be widely adapted. This might 

 require either a special allowance for definite special practices to fit the 

 needs of forestry on part-time farms. 



To sum up this general statement, soil conservation practices should 

 be followed only on farms and fields that have a future use for hay and 

 crops or pasture but woodland improvement practices can be encour- 

 aged on all farms where the condition of the stands, soil, and accessibil- 

 ity make these practices desirable and profitable. 



However, to interpret this general policy administratively is difficult. 

 Beginning with the active commercial farms, most of them should be 

 carrying on conservation practices on crop and pasture land. A few 

 of these farms may be located in areas where the opportunities are not 

 encouraging, or good individual farms may be located in isolated places 

 where the social interest is not aided by the farm continuing in produc- 

 tion. At the present time it may be best to encourage these men to put 

 a larger part of their allotment into woodlot improvement but not to 

 restrict the free choice. Until we have classified our lands as to agri- 

 cultural opportunities and these have become generally accepted we are 

 not in a position to restrict payments for soil building. 



Eighty-four per cent of the active operators enrolled in 1937, and 

 it would seem advisable to have a larger percentage take advantage of 

 the program in future years. 



Many of the commercial farms classified in the less active group are 

 good farms in the hands of people who are not able to operate them 

 aggressively. Some of these farms are even better than many in the 

 active group. It would seem logical to examine the list of this type 

 of farms carefully and make a special drive to get enrollment and good 



Table 15. Distribution of 51,702 acres of tillage according to number of 

 animal units per acre of tillage in 1937. 



