894 EXPEEIMENT STATION EECOED. 



mortgages $50, average American industries $G5, and Arab farms in Egypt $80, 

 the rate paid on tlie average American farm is $85. 



Cheap nxoney for farmers, J. W. Ward (Grain Growers' Guide, 4 {1912), 

 Nos. 38, pp. 7, 21, 22, 30; 39, pp. 8, 13, 1.)). — Tliis is a series of articles discuss- 

 ing and outlining a system of government loans for tlie farmers of western 

 Canada based on the experience of Australia, New Zealand, and Germany. It 

 is proposed that the provincial governments, upon the credit of the Provinces, 

 borrow on the market at 4 per cent, allow 1 per cent for the cost of administra- 

 tion, and loan the money to farmers at 5 per cent, the initial expenses in the 

 way of inspecting the property which is to be security for the loan, the drawing 

 of mortgages, etc., to be borne by the borrower. It is suggested that the loans 

 be limited to about 50 per cent of the value of the property on which they are 

 to be secui'ed, except that, in the case of homesteaders who have not earned 

 their titles, provisions might be made to advance them a certain proportion of 

 the value of the improvements which they have made. 



Agricultural cooperation in Switzerland (Tribune Farmer [N. Y.], 11 

 (1912), No.. 570, p. 5). — This is stated to be one of a series of reports from 

 American diplomats abroad regarding farmers' cooi^erative systems of various 

 countries. 



It is shown that one of the principal purposes of the Swiss Farmers' Asso- 

 ciation, which is represented in the Swiss National Council, is to regulate to a 

 large extent the prices of milk and other agricultural products in the interest 

 of the farmer. Similar associations with the same principles and purposes 

 have also been established in the various cantons (States) and are members 

 of the Swiss Farmers' Association. Besides these there are a number of local co- 

 operative societies which have for their purpose the purchasing of seed, fer- 

 tilizers, etc. 



The federal government contributes annually 25.000 francs to the expenses 

 of the central bureau maintained by the Swiss Farmers' Association. In the 

 various cantons provisions are also made to facilitate loans to farmers through 

 government mortgage banks, the chief advantage of which is that the farmer 

 does not have to repay the loan in a single payment and he is practically 

 relieved from the danger of foreclosure of his mortgage. Financial aid may 

 also be rendered by municipal, cantonal, and federal authorities to undertak- 

 ings which have for their purpose the improvement of the soil in the way of 

 irrigation, drainage, road making, fencing, etc. 



Institutions for agricultural credit (An. Statis. RomCiniei, 1912, pp. 

 176-2 J/o). — Statistical tables are here presented giving detailed accounts of the 

 condition and growth of agricultural credit societies; the status and extent of 

 the loans; and the establishment, work, and progress of rural banks; together 

 with other data relating to the many phases of agricultural credit in Roumania. 



Cooperative agricultural distribution and production (Bd. Trade [Gt. 

 B')-ii.], Ahs. Labor Statis. United Kingdom, lo (1912), pp. 2-'/8-253).— Tables 

 are given presenting a general summary as to the number and total sales of 

 cooperative societies in the United Kingdom engaged in agricultural distribu- 

 tion and production in each of the years 1896-1910, distinguishing the classes of 

 societies. Other tables show capital, amount of land, sales, etc., of the coop- 

 erative small holdings and allotments societies in each of the years 1908-1910, 

 together with the number of cooperative credit associations, members, capital, 

 amount of loans granted, and other particulars for the years 1901-1910. 



Small holdings, E. J. Cheney (Bd. Agr. and Fit^heries [London], Ann. Rpt. 

 Proe. Sniall Hold, and Allot. Act [etc.], 1911, pp. 99).— The data here reported 

 have been previously noted (E. S. R., 27, p. 592). 



