In December 1937, The Hanover Democrat published its 60th anniversary edition, from which this article is copied.
Business Organization of Agriculture
In 1930 Washington county had 2,793 farms. Livestock farms included 40 percent of the farmland: general farms included 38 percent of the farm land: and cash-grain farms included 20 percent of the farm land. Dairying is part of the system of general farming so it does not show up in specialized dairy farms.
In 1935 Washington county had 2,830 farms and in that year more than 700 were of 160 acres each. The average size of farms in that year was 196 acres. The farms of 100 to 174 acres were 25 percent of the total number and included 27 percent of the farm land. The farms of 175 to 259 acres were 24 percent of the total number and included 27 percent of the farm land and farms of 260 to 499 acres were 18 percent of the total number and included 31 percent of the farm land. Washington county has relatively few small farms. In the years 1930 to 1935 there were no important changes in the sizes or numbers of farms in Washington county.
Tenure of Operations
In 1935 Washington county had 2,830 farms of which 37 percent were operated by owners; 18 percent by part owners; and 45 percent by tenants. In the years 1930 to 1935 operation by tenants increased from 43 to 45 percent of the total, while operation by part owners and owners decreased correspondingly.
Land Values
In the year immediately following the World War the average value per acre of farm land in Washington county was $71. In 1935 it was $41 per acre.
Farm Power and Improvements
Approximately one-fourth of the farms in Washington county use tractors. In 1930 the 2,793 farms reported 3,238 automobiles, 380 trucks, and 2,512 telephones. Water was piped into the dwellings on 385 farms and into the bathrooms on 185 farms. Electric lights were available on 210 farms. Washington county has a relatively high proportion of modern farm homes. The major share of the farm-to-market roads of the county are of improved dirt.
The Farm People
In 1930 Washington county had a total population of 17,112 all of whom were classified as rural and 68 percent lived on farms. In that year 95 percent of the people were native-born whites and only 5 percent were foreign born. More that two thirds of the foreign born people in Washington county came from German speaking countries.
Special Features
Washington County farmers have emphasized dairying and poultry production more than has been true in the adjacent counties.