1 94 Harshberger. — Maize : 



grown ; the coefficients indicate the relative importance of 

 the crops a, b, c in terms of the utility x. It is seen that the 

 sum of the utilities in each region, A, B, C, D and E, 

 is the same. The lands of the United States by this system 

 become of equal usefulness, for the relative disadvantage of 

 District A, for instance, in one crop is equalized by its rela- 

 tive great advantage with respect to some other crop. This 

 equalization of usefulness will have a material influence on 

 rent. If the productiveness of the various agricultural re- 

 gions of the United States can be equalized, rent will be 

 equalized. If the Ricardian theory, that rent depends on 

 the difference in the productiveness of different soils, is true, 

 then this equalization will result in the lowering or total 

 abolition of rent. 



Districts and farms, besides varying in fertility, vary also 

 with respect to their nearness or remoteness from centres of 

 population. Even if we succeeded by- a proper national rota- 

 tion in making all agricultural lands of equal productivity, yet 

 rent would arise owing to the differences in the distance from 

 market. A farm in proximity to the market would be better 

 situated and would command a higher rent. A national pro- 

 tective system, which builds up local centres of trade and 

 industry, materially diminishes market distance and corres- 

 pondingly lowers rent. The products of the soil are consumed 

 in the vicinity of the farms, and the farmer has at hand the 

 means of making such a return to the soil as will maintain and 

 even increase its fertility. 



What shall be the motive force that shall inaugurate a 

 wiser system of agriculture and distribution ? Increase of 

 intelligence must be the main factor in accomplishing a pro- 

 gressive and substantial advance. Man rises superior to his 

 environment. Progress is possible because the intellectual 

 superiority of man enables him to modify infinitely the forces 

 of nature. Progress should begin subjectively in the men 

 themselves. They should become familfar with the idea of 

 self-government, of moral restraint, of the beautiful and of 

 the good. This change will first become apparent in the con- 

 sumption of individuals. Old articles, which before satisfied 



