RURAL ECONOMICS. '491 



and be used to throw a stream of water over the tops or the plauts ui dry 

 weather. The machine is also provided with a hoisting dinim, which can be 

 used for hauling plows or similar work. 



A new cane-cutting' machine (Queensland Agr. Jour., 21 {1908), No. 6, pp. 

 303, J0()). — This artit-le (-(insists of a brief description of a recently invented 

 machino for cutting sugar cane. 



A simplified form of dynamometer, E. Gieseler (Deut. Lmidw. Presse, 36 

 {1909), No. 36, p. 392, fws. -i). — A dynamometer for measuring the draft of agri- 

 cultural implements is illustrated and described. 



Rat-proof granary and crib, A. A. Houghton {Amei: Agr., ,S'J {1909), No. 15, 

 p. .)7J, figs. 2). — Plans and an illustration are presented of a rat-proof granary 

 and crib made of concrete throughout. 



RURAL ECONOMICS. 



A congress for the discussion of rural depopulation, J. Meline {Jour. Agr. 

 Prat., n. ser., 11 {1909), No. 2'i, pp. 7-'i8-7o2). — This is a paper presented by the 

 author at the opening meeting of the congress held June 3, 1909. 



The most striking features of rural depopulation in France are shown to 

 be the reduction in the number of landowning day laborers, which in 30 years 

 had diminished from 1,134,000 to .589,000, and in the number of small village 

 merchants and tradesmen. These classes of rural population had crowded into 

 the larger towns and cities and the results were an increase of tuberculosis, 

 drunkenness, and a diminution in the vigor of the French people. The causes 

 of rural depopulation had been the poor returns which farmers were able to 

 procure from the laud, the inability to secure farm help, and the indifference 

 of capitalists to investing money in rural districts. 



In the author's opinion the main remedies for the improvement of rural con- 

 ditions lie (1) in the rehabilitation of the French educational system which, 

 beginning with the most elementary grades and continuing through the higher 

 institutions of learning, should be established on a firm agricultural basis for the 

 purpose of inculcating in coming generations a liking for rural life and pur- 

 suits; (2) the interesting and educating of w(3men for farm life; aud (3) the 

 making of rural life more attractive by the introduction of some of the features 

 of town life. 



The homestead law in France, H. L. Rudloff ( FilJiUng's Landw. Ztg., 58 

 {1909), No. 2, p.p. >tl'i-.'il8). — This article presents and discusses the text of the 

 law of February 4, 1909, relating to the encumbrance, inheritance, and disposi- 

 tion of small holdings in P'rance. By the terms of the law the owner is limited 

 in his power of encumbering his property by indebtedness, can not dispose of 

 it without the consent of his wife and heirs, and can not divide the property. 

 The law is regarded as beneficial by keeping the small holdings intact for the 

 protecti(jn and support of the peasant and his family and by its encouraging the 

 rural population to remain on the land. 



The future of larg-e and small holdings, F. Caquf.t and E. Vandeevelde 

 {Auto. Agr. [Paris], 3 {1909), No. 19, pp. 1-9). — TheS(> are two articles sum- 

 marizing and discussing the present status of lai'ge aud small holdings in 

 France, with particular reference to the eccmomic operation of the small farm 

 and the tendency, by the creation of large estates, to thrust the small holder 

 into the ranks of the proletarians. The papers were elicited by an address 

 delivered by J. Ruan. minister of agriculture, previously noted (E. S. K., 21, 

 p. 189). 



Associations for the creation of small holdings {lid. Agr. and Fisheries 

 I London] , Leaflet 218, pp. 3). — This leaflet sets forth aud discusses the regulations 



