Jim, That's been my understanding. I know several friends and relatives have bought property in the Finger Lakes region (below the southern end of the lakes) for recreational/residential use that was once farmland and has reverted to fields and woodlands. One thing to bear in mind I think, is that much NYS farmland was desireable ONLY compared to much of New England's, and isn't really that good for agriculture. Bath, NY, never became the metropolis land agent/promoter Charles Williamson foresaw, largely because the soil wasn't very conducive to raising commercial crops. At least that's my understanding. Anyone else care to weigh in on all of this? David Minor >Am I to read this right. The amount of Forest Land is increasing in NYS? > >Jim Maguire >[log in to unmask] David Minor Eagles Byte Historical Research Pittsford, New York 716 264-0423 [log in to unmask] To be put on the mailing list for the weekly TimeMaster radio scripts, as well as news of updates to my homepage, e-mail me at the address above. http://home.eznet.net/~dminor includes NYNY, a series of timelines covering New York City and State, from approximately 1,100,000,000 BC to 1990 AD. "I would undertake to supply your demands if your generosity is equal to them." -John Bartram, U. S. naturalist