May, HV25I FARM PRODUCTION IN CHESHIRE COUNTY 17 



Basis of Agricultural Development. 



Nearness to market is perhaps the most important reason for the culti- 

 vation of New England farms. It is not likely that future developments 

 will increase the size of this market. The trend of industrial development 

 is towards the center of agricultural production, but since New England 

 supplies only a small part of its consumption of most farm products, there 

 is little danger that a shift in population will take away its market. 

 New England will probably continue to have for a long time a consuming 

 population for more than it produces of most farm products. 



This advantage of nearness to market now forms the basis for New 

 England agriculture through the production of those commodities which 

 must be produced within a limited area around a market. 



Milk and cream for human consumption arc expensive to ii'ansport, 

 deteriorate with age, and nuist be produced within a comparatively short 

 distance of the market. Improvement in methods of handling and means 



THE ABANDONED FARM IS A COMMON SIGHT, PARTICULARLY IN THE 

 NORTHEASTERN SECTION OF THE COUNTY 



of transportation are constantly (extending this area, but dairying will 

 probably continue to be the basis for New England agiicultin-e for a 

 number of years. The people in counties such as Cheshire will also con- 

 tinue to obtain their milk supply from local producers, because of the 

 expense of distributing such a small supply of shipped-in milk. 



Fresh eggs placed in consumers' hands within a few hours after they are 

 laid also command a premium, and supply^ a class of consumers for which 

 the competitive producing area is limited. 



In the production of meat animals and field crops, the West and 

 South have demonstrated their competitive advantage. 



As to the possibility of increased prices causing these abandoned farms 

 to be placed in cultivation again, let us first consider the present organiza- 

 tion of farms in Cheshire County. 



Farm Organization. 



The average farm in Cheshire County is too small for economical and 

 efficient operation, as seen in the following table of average acreage of 

 crops and number of livestock per farm: 



