RURAL ECONOMICS. 593 



The need for long leases, E. E. Miller {Country Gent., 77 (1912), 2\'o, 5, p. 

 IS). — In discussing the systems of land renting practiced in the United States 

 the author here emphasizes the economic difference between short- and long- 

 term leases, stating that short-term leases give the tenant little or no incen- 

 tive to look beyond the crop he is producing. The landlord, on the other hand, 

 not expecting any improvement in his soil often tries to obtain from his tenant 

 the largest possible immediate return, with the result that both become soil 

 robbers and the farm steadily decreases in productiveness. It is suggested that 

 the long-term system would tend to eliminate the slovenly fai-ming methods 

 and short-sighted business dealings common on tenant farms of short-term 

 leases. 



Economic significance of changes in country population, T. X. Carver 

 {Ann. Amer. Acad. Polit. and Soc. 8ci., 40 {1912), No. 129, pp. 21-25).— In dis- 

 cussing the distinct and noticeable tendency of the old rural population to give 

 way to a new type of population, the author thinks that the economic significance 

 is not so much in the difference in race and language as in that of religion and 

 social position ; not so much whether the incoming population is to be a land 

 owning or a tenant population, as whether it is to be, as it has always been, 

 one of a lower standard of living than that which is displaced. 



To prevent this displacement of the American standard of living, restricted 

 immigration and a minimum wage law are suggested, but it is noted that this 

 would not stop the farmer with a lower standard from buying or renting the 

 land away from farmers with a higher standard. Another remedy suggested 

 is to educate the people up to a higher standard, but this, it is said, would create 

 international competition, imless. in the increase of the standard, productive 

 efficiency is correspondingly increased. 



The author argues that the only way of preventing the displacement of the 

 American standard of living is by its " becoming a rational and efficient stand- 

 ard instead of merely an expensive standard. That is to say, if the increased 

 expenditure of the American farmer's family can be made to yield returns in 

 greater efficiency, greater intelligence, greater mental alertness, more exact 

 scientific knowledge and calculation, then the American farmer will not be 

 displaced by the foreigner. But if the rising cost of living for the American 

 farm family is due to a mere demand for luxury, for expensive vices, and for 

 ostentation, there is no power on earth which will protect his standard o^ 

 living, Such a farmer is handicapped in competition with the more simple- 

 minded foreigner, and the latter will offer such prices for land as the former 

 will not be able to pay. Being unable to maintain a family on such a standard, 

 This type of American farmer will sacrifice his desire for a family, will have 

 fewer children or none at all, and, in a few generations, will disappear alto- 

 gether," 



Decline of a rural community. A, Martix (Ae&r. Farmer, '/'/ (1912), No. 

 Jf, p. 83). — This article gives concrete illustrations as to how rural depopula- 

 tion is affecting a Nebraska county by showing that within the past 10 years, 

 since land began to increase in price, 11 families from one neighborhood have 

 moved to town. The effect has been to reqiiire a larger contribution from those 

 who remain toward good roads, better schools, etc. The enrollment of the 

 neighborhood school has dec-reased from 35 to 12. and instead of the school- 

 house being as foi'merlj^ a social center at small cost, the few people now 

 remaining go to town and pay cash for their entertainment. 



Town lads on New Zealand farms, T, E, Skdgwick (United Empire [Gt. 

 Brit.], n. ser., 2 {1911), No. 12, pp. S72-875). — This article presents a concrete 

 illustration of where 50 boys, ranging from 16 to 10 years of age, were drawn 

 from the various occupations and trades in I>ondon and Liverpool, taken to New 



