EURAL ECONOMICS. 493 



a means of imiiroving tlie ecouonilc position of rural workers and of meeting 

 colonial and foreign competition with higher class goods of home production. 



Mutual insurance of live stock {Bd. Agr. and Fisheries [Loiulott], Leaflet 

 221, pp. 7). — The methods of establishing mutual societies for the insurance of 

 pigs and cattle against loss from disease and other causes, with recommenda- 

 tions relating to rules for the best management of such societies, are given in 

 this pamphlet. 



Agricultural credit in Mexico, J. M. Balboa et al. (Bol. Soc. Agr. Mexi- 

 cana, 33 ( I'JOfJ), Xo. .'i6, pp. 90-'i-916). — This is a report of a committee appointed 

 l)y the Central Chamber of Agriculture for the purpose of considering the pres- 

 ent status of agricultural credit in Mexico with a view to making suggestions 

 as to its improvement. 



The different kinds of agricultural credit banks in operation in other coun- 

 tries are discussed with reference to their economic limitations so far as the 

 peasant farmer is concerned. The committee believes that the district banks 

 are the most effective as an agricultural credit institution and should be estab- 

 lished throughout Mexico. Changes in the Mexican laws with reference to 

 credit banks to correct present defects are presented, and the differences in 

 social and economic conditions which prevail in Mexico as compared with 

 Euroiiean countries are discussed with a view of justifying the committee's 

 recommendations as to the best form of credit banks adapted to Mexican con- 

 ditions. Mutual credit associations are believed to be the last form that could 

 be established in INIexico with any prospect of success. 



Agricultural credit in Mexico (Bol. Soc. Agr. Mexicana. 33 (1909), No. 48. 

 pp. 9J,7, 9.',8; 3-', (1910), Xos. 1, pp. 3-G; 3, pp. ^,3, 4// ) .—Reviews of the com- 

 mittee's report noted above, some of which are rei)rinted from other INIexican 

 journals. 



Agricultural credit in Mexico (Agrieultor [Yiieutan]. .) (1910), No. 37, pp. 

 •'), 6). — A review of the commiltee's report noted above. 



In regard to agricultural credit, G. Chappez (Prog. Agr. et Vit. (Ed. VEst- 

 Centre), 30 (1909), No. .'16, pp. 593-597). — This article discusses the relations 

 existing between the Bank of France, the district banks, and the local mutual 

 credit banks or associations with regard to the rates of interest charged by the 

 banks to borrowers. The arguments advanced by the two schools of advocates 

 for lowering or maintaining the present rates of interest are i)resented and dis- 

 cussed with reference to their l)earing on the economic i)osition of farmers. The 

 author favors a rate of interest ranging from 2 to 2.5 i)er cent, which only 

 seems feasible by the formation of large numbers of local banks grouped together 

 into circumscribed districts, thus reducing the expenses of operation. 



Mutual agricultural credit in Algeria in 1908 (Off. Gonvt. Gen. Algerie. 

 Bui. Bimens., 15 (1909). No. 23, pp. 356-559).— Statistical data are presented 

 and discussed relating to the number of district banks, number of affiliated 

 local banks, rates of interest charged, number of loans granted, etc., in Algeria 

 for 3908. in coniiiarison with similar d;ita for preceding years. 



International Institute of Agriculture, A. Boyer (Rpt. Min. Agr. Canada, 

 1909, pp. 12.^-129). — This is an account by the Canadian delegate of the pro- 

 ceedings, organization, resources, and work of the institute. 



Crop Reporter (U. 8. Dept. Agr., Bur. Statis. Crop Reporter, 12 (1910), No. 

 1, pp. 1-8). — Notes and statistics on the condition of crops in foreign countries 

 and on the farm values, monthly marketing by farmers, and range of prices 

 of important farm products in the United States are reported. A special 

 article discusses the importance of accurate farm records for the forthcoming 

 census. 



