20 DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



that the development of this land for immediate agricultural 

 uses was planned; but when it is considered that much of the 

 land under discussion would be eliminated as agricultural land, 

 and, still further, that the process of making this land available 

 for agricultural purposes will often take at least ten years, and 

 much more of it fifty, the immediate effect on agriculture will 

 not be felt, particularly so if the country increases in population 

 as much during the next ten years as we may normally expect. 



There are some aspects of this question which must be con- 

 sidered carefully, and it behooves the friends of agriculture to 

 look into this lest the movement get away from us and do us 

 real harm. 



In the first place, there will be considerable readjustment of 

 our living conditions after the war, and not only some of our 

 soldiers, but also many others who have always wanted to 

 farm, will be looking for land. The greatest inducement will be 

 offered these people in the west, southwest and south, and while 

 there will probably not be a parallel of the conditions which 

 prevailed after the civil war, still'. New England and the north- 

 eastern States may find themselves confronted with a proposi- 

 tion similar to that on a smaller scale. 



If we can induce some of these people to settle among us we 

 certainly will be on equal footing with them, and if they beat 

 us out it will be our own fault. 



This movement has been cited as a cheap food campaign, 

 and, in fact, your commissioner has been accused of taking the 

 side of the consumer against the producer. This brings up a 

 rather interesting subject, to be treated later, as to how far the 

 consumer's and producer's interests are mutual. Unless this 

 subject is handled carefully there is danger of developing land 

 and producing crops faster than they can be consumed, but in 

 the hands of people who know the subject they are dealing 

 with it may be guided into safe channels. 



Massachusetts offers in this connection many inducements 

 for settlers, not only soldiers, but others who would make good 

 farmers, and who might be desirable to have among us. The 

 commission appointed by the Governor so far has only con- 

 cerned itself about the available land within the State, — its 

 location, character, present condition and means of reclamation. 



