896 EXPERIMENT STATION EECOED. 



Among the several observations noted, it is stated tliat European countries 

 differ from American in 2 important particulars, wliich influence agricultural 

 practice — the high value of land, and the comparative low -wage paid the 

 European laborer. It is further noted that European farms are maintained at 

 a higher degree of fertility, tenants not being permitted to rob the land of its 

 plant food. Leases px'escribe methods which shall maintain soil fertility, and 

 the tenant is liable for any depreciation. Dairy, stock, and grain farming are 

 extensively practiced. Cooperative marketing of farm products, as in Denmark, 

 is commended. 



The nev/ agriculture of Japan, J. Alvin {Country Gent., 77 {1912), No, 13, 

 pp. 5, 6). — This article discusses the agricultural awakening in Japan, quoting 

 from an address by Dr. Inazo Nitobe how its peasants produce enough from 

 1-1,000,000 acres to feed and clothe 50,000,000 people, besides furnishing silk for 

 clothing millions of others. The awakening is attributed to the intensive 

 methods of farming and proper use of fertilizers; the cooperative movement 

 among farmers which enables them to borrow money at 10 per cent interest 

 whore formerly they paid 20 or 30 per cent ; the aid given by the semiofficial 

 agricultural banks in the way of loans to any one desiring to clear and break 

 new land, the loans being for a long term and at a low rate of interest ; and the 

 educational system, which requires instruction in agriculture in all schools 

 from the kindergarten to the university. 



The average farm contains 2 J acres, yet 70 per cent of them are smaller than 

 this. The rural population consists of about 30,000,000 persons, 73 per cent of 

 whom own more or less land. 



Economic movement in Canada, P. LEROY-BEAULiEtx {Econ. Frang., ^0 

 {1912), I, No. 12, pp. If21, 4^2). — ^A discussion of general economic conditions 

 as applied to agriculture in Canada, showing the movement of population from 

 the country to cities and from one section of country to another, and the eco- 

 nomic causes and consequences of such changes. It is noted- that while there 

 has been a marked increase in the production of wheat, there is a relative stag- 

 nation in the production of other crops. 



Statistical data are submitted as to production and exportation of a number 

 of crops, including live stock, dairy products, etc. 



[Immigrants from United States to Canada] {Country Gent., 77 {1912), 

 No. 10, p. 1). — ^Attention is called to the fact that of the 400,000 new settlers 

 in Canada in 1911, 130,000, or 32.5 per cent, went from United States. The 

 prime cause of this is said to be the greater liberality of Canada's homestead 

 law, which provides that any citizen, or one who has declared his intention to 

 become such, may acquire title to 160 acres of land by residing upon it not less 

 than 6 mouths each year for a period of 3 years. The homestead law of the 

 United States requires a continuous residence period of 5 years. 



Observations upon government assistance to agriculture in certain coun- 

 tries of Europe, H. S. Arkell {Canada Dept. Agr., Branch Live Stock Comr. 

 Bui. 15, 1911, pp. 15). — This paper briefly summarizes data as to the methods 

 followed by government agencies in aiding agriculture in Ireland, France, 

 Belgium, and Denmark, with special reference to horse breeding. 



Sales for agricultural purposes bill {Rpt. Select Com. House Lords [Gt. 

 Brit.], Sales Afl-r. Purposes Bill, 1912, pp. XVIII +183). —This is the report of 

 the Select Committee of the House of Lords to inquire into the provisions of 

 the bill regulating sales of commodities for agricultural purposes, together with 

 the proceedings of the committee and minutes of evidence. 



Farm accounting an aid to better farming, E. H. Thomson {N. Y. Tribune 

 Farmer, 11 {1912), No. 540, pp. 1, 2, fig. 1). — ^This article presents a few general 

 principles, together with illustrations, which are deemed of service to the indi- 



