92 EXPERIMENT STATION EECOED. 



RURAL ECONOMICS. 



Principles of rural economics, T. N. Carver (Boston and London, 1911, pp. 

 XX+386, dgms. 7). — In tliis treatise tlie author directs attention to some of 

 the salient features of the rural problem, giving greater consideration to the 

 public and social aspects of the problem than to the business side of the sub- 

 ject. He gives a historical sketch of modern agriculture, discusses tsome general 

 economic princiiiles as applied to agriculture, factors of agricultural produc- 

 tion, the distribution of agricultural income, management as a factor in agri- 

 cultural production, and problems of rural social life. 



An extensive bibliography is included. 



Cooperation among' farmers, J. L. Coulter (New York, 1911, pp. VII-\-281, 

 pis. 2). — In order to meet the demands of many farmers for information con- 

 cerning the possibilities of cooperation and details as to the formation of local 

 societies, the author has prepared this volume in which he discusses the signifi- 

 cance of cooperation among farmers and gives an account of the most success- 

 ful organizations, the best form of organization, and the possibilities of coopera- 

 tion among farmers in many of their activities. He submits plans of various 

 kinds of oi'ganization among dairy farmers; methods of marketing butter and 

 cheese; the production and marketing of animals for meat; the storing and 

 marketing of grain ; and marketing vegetables, poultry, eggs, fruits, nuts, etc., 

 together with an account of the development of cooperative stores in the United 

 States. 



The cooperative farmer, J. L. Coulter [World's TForfc, 23 (1911), No. 1, 

 pp. 59-63). — This article presents a discussion of the cooperative movement 

 among farmers, together with a summary of the work being done by many of 

 the leading cooperative associations in the United States. 



The practical operation of associations, J. H. Ross (Fla. Groicer, 5 (1911), 

 No. J/, pp. 1, 3, figs. 2). — This is an :uldress delivered by the pi'esident of the 

 Florence Citrus Growers' Association of Florida in which the actual operations 

 of that association regarding organization, management, wages, efficiency of 

 employees, pooling, marketing, etc., are explained in detail. 



Agricultural cooperative societies in Germany (Diplo. and Cons. Rpts. [Lon- 

 don], Ann. 8cr., 1911, No. 4773, pp. J/S-JiS). — Data are here briefly summarized 

 as to the status of these societies. 



Missouri farm facts and rural problems, W. L. Nelson (Ann. Rpt. No. Bd. 

 Agr., Ji3 (1910), pp. ^24-454, fid- !)■ — The author presents answers obtained 

 to a number of questions sent to about 600 representative farmers in Missouri, 

 among them is this question : " What, in your opinion, is the greatest need of 

 the farmer of to-day, or the greatest problem with which he must contend? " 



Of the 440 who replied 40 per cent answered, " Hired help," 14 per cent, 

 " The maintenance and improvement of soil fertility," and 16 per cent, " Good 

 roads." Seventeen correspondents replied that the farmers' greatest problem 

 is how to combat combinations that are believed to fix prices for what he 

 sells or buys. Thirteen believe too much extravagance exists on the farm ; 10 

 that the greatest problem is the elimination or curtailment of the powers of 

 the middleman, and 9 name cooperation in buying and selling as the greatest 

 need. Among some of the other needs mentioned were better transportation 

 facilities and lower freight rates, increased production per acre, better schools, 

 and more agricultural science. 



Opinions are also given by 361 women as to what changes or improvements in 

 the farmhouse would be of greatest benefit. More than 53 per cent favored some 

 system of running water. 



The article further presents considerable statistical data as to farm condi- 

 tions for the State. ♦ 



