SUMMARY

The study was undertaken in order to contribute to the knowledge of the
process of land settlement. Raw land physically suited for agriculture is avail-
able in the area. The soil survey has classified 832,462 acres of land as arable.
The census of 1941 found that 324,235 acres were in farms and 68,115 acres
were improved. It was apparent, therefore, that there was an opportunity to
expand both the number of farms and the improved acreage on farms.

Agriculture development during the last Census decade had been slow.
The number of farms had increased from 1110 to 1205; improved acreage had
increased 14 acres per farm. Proportionately livestock numbers had increased
quite markedly but the total numbers per farm were small. Cattle income
had amounted to only $272 per farm in 1940.

Eighty-two per cent of the operators of farms in the study were owners.
The analysis of method of acquisition suggested that many farmers preferred to
purchase improved land rather than clear and break their own. It was probable,
then, that the cost of improving land was often greater than capitalized net
return of the improved land.

The rate of clearing by hand had been slow, amounting to two to four acres
per farm per year. The cost of custom clearing and breaking had averaged $39
per acre on all types of covers.

The farms were classified into eight commercial types according to the
source of farm returns. Livestock constituted the principal source of income.
Therefore, the livestock and mixed farm types accounted for. one-half of the farms.
Income from work performed off the farm was the major >urce of income on
15 per cent of the farms. These were classified as part time-farms.

Grass occupied about two-thirds of the improved land area, and was mainly
cropped on or used as pasture. Comparatively small acreages were devoted to
seed production.

Real estate made up one-half of the farm capital which ranged from $7,000
to $12,000 per farm. Liabilities were less than ten per cent of total assets.
Gain in net worth during the period of settlement averaged $340 per year. It
was accounted for mainly by gain in the value of real estate. Rate of gain was
not associated with high net worth at the start. The specialty-product farms
had made the greatest gains in net worth.

The average value of farm dwellings was $793. Fifty-three per cent were
constructed entirely from logs. Living expenditures averaged $699 per farm
of which one-half was spent for food. In addition perquisites averaged $461
per farm.

Although schools, churches and medical facilities were provided many
settlers were quite far from them. The average distances to high school, doctor
and hospital were, respectively, 13, 15 and 15 miles. About one-half of the farms

__had a car or truck, three-fourths had a radio, very few had telephones. =———™

The analysis of farm returns indicated that livestock accounted for about
two-thirds of total farm production. Intensity of production varied but five
or six acres per productive livestock unit was typical. Cattle were the important
livestock enterprise and two-thirds of the crops were in the form of hay.

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