RURAL ECONOMICS. 595 



fcion from 100. usiup: the average for the last 10 years as a basis, is the one best 

 adapted to their purpose. 



Statistical annual for 1914, E. G. Osman (Price Current-Gi'ain Rptr. Statis. 

 Ann. 1914, VP- 56). — This report contains statistical data showing the quantity 

 of meats packed, prices of meat, meat products, and live stock, and their move- 

 ment at the principal centers of the United States, and for a series of years. 

 The production, movement, and prices of grain are also shown. 



A geographic study of the growth and distribution of population in 

 Michigan, O. W. Freeman (Rpt. Mich. Acad. Sci., 15 (1913), pp. 39-53, figs. 

 11). — The author shows that between 1900 and 1910 the number of persons in 

 rural districts decreased in 45 of the 82 counties in the State. The cause for 

 this decrease is that not only are the younger generation leaving for the citieB 

 but there is a decrease in the average size and in the number of families. He 

 includes a series of maps showing the density of the population by counties, 

 beginning with 1820. 



Michigan agriculture, its present status and wonderful possibilities, R. S. 

 Shaw (Michigan Sta. Spec. Bui. 70 (191Jf), pp. 3-23, figs. 8).— This bulletin is 

 a digest of the information obtained by the Thirteenth Census concerning agri- 

 culture. 



The author points out that 51.5 per cent of the total land area is in farms 

 and 67.8 per cent of the land in farms is improved. Among the principal con- 

 ditions which have retarded the agricultural development have been the large 

 areas covered with heavy timber, the sand areas, and much land that needed 

 drainage. In spite of these handicaps, the author considers that Michigan has 

 made a very favorable progress. He calls attention to the wide range of 

 crops and live stock produced in the State and the relative importance of 

 Michigan in the production of each. A single tabular statement consolidating 

 practically all the statistics collected by the last census of agriculture by 

 counties is appended. 



Beport of the Grain Markets Commission of the Province of Saskatche- 

 wan (Rpt. Grain MarTcets Com. Saskatchewan, 1914, PP- 150-\-III, pis. 2). — 

 Among the conclusions reached by this commission were that exclusive grain 

 raising as practiced by even the best farmers is not renumerative, that it costs 

 the farmers more to have the exportable surplus of western Canada grain 

 crops placed on the present ultimate market than the farmers of any other 

 large exporting country have to pay, and that all terminal and transfer ele- 

 vators as well as internal terminal storage elevators should be owned and oper- 

 ated by the Dominion Government as some already are. It recommends that 

 every possible encouragement be given to bring about greater diversity in the 

 products of the farms, that there be a reorganization of agricultural credit 

 facilities, an extension of cooperative marketing, improved transportation facili- 

 ties, and the storage of grain on the fai*ms instead of public warehouses. 



Future of tropical America (London, 1913, pt. 2. pp. III-\-60, pis. 49). — 

 This is a continuation of the publication previously noted (E. S. R., 29, p. 896), 

 and contains information concerning the West Indian Islands. 



Agriculture of Argentina, 1912—13, E. Lahitte (Estad. Agr. [Argentinal, 

 1912-13, pp. 187).— This report contains statistical data showing for 1872, 1888, 

 1895, and 1912 the population, length of railroads, total area cultivated, and 

 area in principal crops. There are also shown for 1911-12, with comparative 

 data for earlier years, the area, production, amount of seed used, and amount 

 exported and consumed at home for wheat, flax, corn, and oats, the number and 

 value of agricultural implements imported, and other data concerning the 

 manufacture of agricultural products and the number and movement of live 

 stock. 



y 



