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the man who actually farms it, and I was interested perhaps

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in removing that particular language, but I do believe

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whether the property is owned or operated as a farm would

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make no difference provided it was entitled to assessment

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by its use.

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It would perhaps be a favor to the farmer to

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discourage him from removing this endeavor from the State

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of Maryland because it has not been profitable for a number

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of years, but it is also anticipated within ten years there

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will be a food shortage in this country as well as in a

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majority of the world. If we are to continue with the

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language that will be as meaningful as the present farm

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assessment -- and I would like to elaborate just briefly on

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the present farir assessment -- the difficulty arose when

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the interpretation was put on agricultural use and then when

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ten acres in Rockville was pastured by one cow that farm was

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entitled -- that land was entitled to farm assessment.

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In my opinion, if we adopt language which will

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read "which classes shall include land and property owned

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and operated as farm as defined by the General Assembly by

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law," we can still expect criteria that will grant assessment