332 RURAL SOCIOLOGY 



idences. Between these two extremes there is every range of 

 condition. The better class of farm residences is all that can be 

 desired. The poorer class is, of course, quite the opposite. 

 Even the better class of farm residences does not represent money 

 value as measured by city and town values. This is largely due 

 to the fact that most of them were built many years ago, when 

 materials were cheap, and also before the addition of water- 

 works and other modern improvements. A residence in the 

 farming region that is valued at one thousand dollars may be 

 actually more roomy and comfortable than one in the town 

 that is valued at more than twice that sum. In this letter I am, 

 of course, omitting all reference to the country seats of non- 

 residents or absentees. 



I have asked Professor Warren to give me his comment on 

 housing conditions as found in his surveys; and most of the 

 following statements of fact are his. 



Practically all of the farmhouses in New York State, as in the 

 northern states in general, are made of wood. In the northeast- 

 ern states nearly all of these houses were built at least fifty years 

 ago. Only a small percentage have been constructed along the 

 newer lines. In Livingston county, which is one of the richest 

 agricultural regions in the country, Warren found that the 

 average value of these houses in 1909 was not quite $1,600. Of 

 course, it would cost much more than an average of $1,600 to 

 build these houses, but this is the estimated average value of the 

 house as it stands. Perhaps $1,000 would be nearer correct 

 for the average value of the farm residence in the State, but it 

 would take over twice this much to build these houses at the 

 present time. The new houses would probably also be worth 

 twice as much, because new and better adapted to the needs. 



The average number in the family in Livingston county is 4.2 

 persons, and the average of boarders or hired men .8, making 

 a total of five persons as the size of the average farm family. 

 Of course, this gives no suggestion as to the number of children 

 away from home. In Tompkins county the average farm fam- 

 ily, exclusive of hired help, was found to be 3.55. 



The size of the farmhouse is, of course, exceedingly variable, 

 but the average would probably be about six or seven rooms. 

 The farm water-supply is practically always situated at some 



