882 SUCCESSFUL FARMING 



Purchasing a Farm. — There are many items to consider in the purchase 

 of a farm. One should begin with a careful estimate of his own inclination. 

 The size and character of farm, and the nature of the buildings upon it, 

 will depend largely on the type of farming to be followed. The experience 

 and ability of the purchaser, together with his available capital, will also 

 determine the size of the business. With the vast majority the available 

 capital will likely be the determining factor, but in some cases there may be 

 plenty of capital and a lack of both experience and ability, in which case it 

 will be wise to start on a conservative basis. 



In purchasing a farm, it is wise to take plenty of time and look at 

 farms in different localities. It is also well to visit the farm at two seasons, 

 once in the spring time when some of the fields are in the course of prepara- 

 tion for crops, and again late in the season as harvest is approaching. The 

 first visit enables one to inspect the soil carefully with reference to its 

 fertility, drainage and uniformity. The second one enables him to see 

 what the soil has really done. In this connection one must, of course, 

 consider the character of the season and know whether it is better or worse 

 than the average season in that locality. One should also be able to judge 

 as to the nature of the farming that is being done and how rapidly a run- 

 down farm may be improved. It is a good idea to make a sketch of the 

 farm, outlining the fields and making careful estimates of the acreage of 

 woodlots, stream courses and waste lands of whatever nature. It is much 

 safer to put a valuation on the different classes of land than it is to value 

 the whole farm at so much per acre. The probable returns from the farm 

 can be more closely calculated when one figures on the different classes of 

 land and the crops to which they are likely to be adapted. 



Most men will not base their selection on the monetary value of the 

 farm alone, but will be influenced by the character of the neighborhood. 

 Social and educational advantages should not be ignored. These count 

 much in the environment of the family. 



Land as an Investment. — The rise in land values in recent years has 

 caused many persons not desiring to be farmers to invest money in land. 

 Such investments are considered among the safest and the appreciation in 

 land values is often as large and sometimes larger than the actual returns 

 in land rents. Such investments frequently tend tow r ard inflated prices, 

 and these occasionally finally result in a decline in land values. Land 

 investment for the investment only tends to increase land tenancy, and 

 makes necessary a better tenant system than now generally prevails. 

 Land tenancy ordinarily does not encourage increase in land values, because 

 of the marked tendency for poor farming and for neglect to maintain the 

 fertility of the soil. 



When purchasing a farm, the farmer should always consider carefully 

 the investment phase. Other things equal, there are decided advantages 

 in the purchase of farms in localities where land values are rising. Under 

 those conditions one is justified in purchasing a larger farm and in going 



