Land Value Raised

Tbat good roads have a direct money value seema to be provecí by Professor W. O. Latta of Pnrdue nniversity, Iniliaini. He aaked the farmers of thestato to givc their views cm the subject, and their replies, summurized hy Professor Latta, wero pnblished in tbc Quiuoy (Hls.) Farmers' Cali. Over 40 replies to thesn queries %vero receivcd. As would bo expected from the differenco in soil, surfaco aud tanco frotn gravel beds, thero is a wido range in the estimates of the different correspoiidents. Many oí the estimates are necessurily mere gnesses, while others aro bnsed on a thorough knowledge of the niatters trnder consideratie). The averages of theso estimates should gj-ve - and they probably do, approximately - the couseusns of opinión held by thn most intelligent farmers of the state as to tho cost and inoney value of iiuproved highways and the loss duo to poor roads. The upproximate averages for the 40 connties uro as follows: First. - The average estimated iucreaso iu the selling pricoof landdue to existing improved highwaya i3 $6.48 per aere. The estimates trom which this average is made refer in most cases to lauds near tho improved rocls, but in a few instanc.es they apply to all the lands of the county. Tlio average increase, therefore, of $(.48 per acre is lower than was intended for tho lands near the improved roads. Secoud. - Tlm estimated averagn ïncrease per acre that would result from iniproving all tho pabliü roads is $9. Tbird. - ïho estimated average cost of convertiug the common public roads into improved highways is $1,146 per mile. The estimated average annual loss per 100 acres from poor roads is $76.28. If these estimates are even approximately correct, they furuish a key to the satisfaotory solution of thequestion of highway improvement frota the ruoney staudpoint. On the basis of the last mentioned estímate, tho average aunual loss per acre froni poor roads is over 76 cents. In five ypars the lossea wonld aggregate $2,432 for every seotiou of laúd, and this sum would construct two miles at a cost of $1,216 per mile, whïch is $70 per milo above tho estimated averago cost giveu by the farmers thernselves. The present road tax, which, under existing lawa, is largely thrown away, wonld, under a proper system of road maintenance, doubtless keep improved highways in perfect repair. If the foregoing statements aro a near approach to the trnth, it follows that the losses and expenditures which farmers actually iucur on account of poor roads would also secure permaneutly good roads. Oau any sane 'mind doubt the wisdom of exohanging the losses, delays, accidenta and vcxation of spirit ocoasioned by bad roads for the comfort and other advantages of good roads when the cost is the same? But tliero is another side tothisquestio]j - viz, the iucreased valuo of land from highway improvement. As already stated, this iucrease is estimated by the farmers consulted at $9 per acre. This would fiahanco the value of eachsection of land 5,700, which ia more than doublo the estimated cost ($2,292) of the two miles of improved highway, which constátate the quota for the ebotion. Jnst hero the objectiou may be raisrl that tho improved roads would uot increase the productive capaoity of tho land, whilo the enhancod commercial value would increaso tho tases. Let ns, for the sake of argument, grant this plausible but fallacions objection, and then find what it amouuts to. Let ua suppose tho increase in appraisement for taxation to be $4 per acre, and the tax rato 1 y per cent. ïhis Nvould mean an annual inorease in taxes of 5 cents per acre or $5 per 100 acres. Would uotour objector, af ter enjoying the benefits of good roads. be willink to givc therefor the extra $5 if uecessary? Would he keep the rnoney and go back to the tbraldom of mud roads? If so, he has the option of selling his farm at an advauce, accordiiif to the average estimates of his brother farmers, that will more than dcubly reimburso him for his expenditure on highway improvement, and lie can then remove to some uative wild vvhose quiet waters have not been "troubled" by the spirit of progresa. I am aware that many intelligent farmers will not accept the cstimates of their fellow farmers as to the money value of good roads - many who will even deny that improved highways have any appreciable mouey value. I am glad to know, however, that mauy of these vory same farmers favor good roads, and would aid in their constructioa for the saino reason that they would build comfortable and even luxurious homes. Rosd Progresa In Mnssacliusetts. The Massachvtsctts legislature will be aáked to add $800,000 to the $TOO,000 already appropriated for good roads. The impre-od roads are very popular, and as soou as the farmers loarn not to always drive in one track thoy will be durable.