RUKAT. ECONOMICS. 885 



tidii iind the yields iuul iifict's of cci-eals, veKctabU's, and fruits are reported. 

 Xotes are also ;iiven on the weather conditions in the different distyets durin.ijj 

 the jirowinir season and their Ix'arinj; on crop production. 



Investigations on the economic development and distribution of wealth 

 in the Canton of Bern, (". Muiilp:mann (Mitt. Bern. Stat is. liiir.. IHO.',, \i,. 2, 

 tip. \'lll-\-2Sl). — This is a general review of the history of the Canton of 

 r.ei-n. with more ])articular reference to its economic development. 



Chapter S is devoted to a survey of a.i.'ricultural dev(>lopment during the l!)th 

 centiM-y. The subjects treated include the ])roduction and sale of live stocli ; 

 changes in systems of farm manafjement and cultivation of land with especial 

 reference to crop ])roduction ; real estate and mortfia.ires. a.s,'ricultural credit 

 and liens with a discussion of the causes and the conse(iuences of indebtedness, 

 and the advancement of ai^riculture by means of private, cooperative, and State 

 aid. Statistics are presiMitcd In show the ])rojj;ress made durinj? this period. 



The farm help problem, A. II. San»eks {Brccdcr'x (laz.. 51 {1901), No. 15, 

 I). 5,il). — The writer discusses the lack of competent farm help in the United 

 States and other countries, points out some of the causes of (his deficiency, and 

 calls attention to the advantages offered to farm hands in this country. The 

 greater dissemination of information on the latter point among agricultural 

 hiborers in foreign lands is regarded as likely to induce the emigration of 

 com])etent help to the T'nitinl States. 



Farming on shares, U. Zoli.a (Ann. Hoc. Si/ikI. Libre A(ir. Prriyord, D 

 (1907), Xo. 2. PI). 20-28). — The author defends the system of farming on shares 

 as compared with payment in wages to agricultural laborers in France. 



The author takes two typical illustrations of metayers with families in dif- 

 ferent provinces renting farms of whicli 2(j and 33 hectares only were eulti- 

 \ated. The actual net returns from both farms and the shares to metayers and 

 proprietors are given, and the financial results to the metayers compared with 

 what could have been received in wages during 300 working days. The ad- 

 vantage of share farming over the wage system was estimated at SfJ per cent. 

 In addition to this financial gain the author enumerates other Economic and 

 social benefits arising only as a result of the metayer system which are enjoyed 

 by the 344.000 niet;iyers in France. At the same time the character of the i)ro- 

 prietor and the efficiency of the farmer are regarded as important factors in 

 securing the best returns under this system. 



Report of the small holdings committee (Jour. Bd. Agr. [Loiidou], 13 

 (1907), X(i. 111. PI). 5!n-G0.'i). — This is an abstract of the report of the depart- 

 mental connnittee appointed by the itresident of the Board of Agriculture and 

 Fisheries, in April, 1905, to inquire into the administration and working of the 

 Small Holdings Act of 1892. 



After examining .''>8 witnesses and visiting a number <tf small holdings in 

 (U-eat Britain, the connnittee reconnnends among other things the direct con- 

 trol by a government department of the holdings with authority to make defi- 

 nite exi)eriments. the amendment of the act for the greater protection and bene- 

 fit of the small holder, the advancement of government loans to landowners 

 at tlie lowest possible rate of interest to enable them to undertake the equip- 

 ment of small holdings, the increase of State funds for agricultural instruction 

 in rural districts, and i)romotion of all forms of agricultural cooperation by 

 means of govermnent loans on apiiroved security of a central credit association. 



The law authorizing loans to agricultural cooperative societies (Bvl. 

 Stati.^. I.cfi. Coiiipar.. SI (1901). Xo. 1. pp. I't-ll : ^"'- -l/f"-"*- Off. Renftciif. Ar/r. 

 IParis]. r, (1901), Xo. 2. pp. J3S-135).— The text of the law of December 29. 

 V.tOC. amending the law of March 31. 1899. regulating the control of the 

 40.000,000 francs advanced by the French government to the regional banks 



