RURAL ECONOMICS. 795 



duces a large part of his living on the farm, thus rendering the expense of 

 living in the country much less than in the city. It should be further remem- 

 bered that the independence of farm life goes far toward balancing its disad- 

 vantages when compared with city life; nor should it be forgotten that the 

 farmer requires both experience and at least a rudimentary knowledge of 

 several sciLMices in order to attain the best success. It is only recently that 

 farnnng has profited by the discoveries of the scientist, and even yet there is 

 much to learn, especially about the soil. There is growing up, however, a 

 science of farming, and in so far as this science has been reduced to rule, it 

 takes the place of experience to a certain extent. A diligent study of agricul- 

 tural literature, therefore, may enable the beginner to be successful with 

 comparatively little experience." 



Profitable farming- in New Eng^land {Boston Evening Transcripi, 1909, Oct. 

 23, i)t. 3, p. 2). — Statistics of in-ofitable farming in such branches of the agri- 

 cultural industry as vegetables and flowers, fruits, potatoes, corn, sheep, 

 poultry, dairy products, pigs, hay, etc., are presented and discussed. The article 

 indicates what can be done on the so-called " abandoned farm " lands of some of 

 the New England States. 



Causes of southern rural conditions and the small farm, as an important 

 remedy, S. A. Knapp (U. S. Dept. Agr. Yearbook 1908, pp. 3/1-320).— Notwith- 

 standing a favorable climate, fertile soils, satisfactory rainfall, and valuable 

 natural resources in the South Atlantic and South Central States, this article 

 shows that the South has thus far failed to produce the results in wealth pro- 

 duction and economic progress which its natural conditions seem to justify. 



This deficiency in progress is traced to four main economic errors, viz, com- 

 pulsory labor by another race, adoption of a one-crop system of farming, the 

 establishment of large plantations in the South, and failure to utilize the wealth 

 of minerals, timbers, and other natural resources in building up " a common- 

 wealth that would furnish markets as well as raw material and thus in a 

 measure become self-sustaining and independent." Other causes of decline 

 mentioned are lack of transportation facilities, poor roads, and scarcity of 

 money and labor. 



The breaking up of large plantations into small farms, each owned and 

 operated by one family, is regarded as essential to the establishment of perma- 

 nent prosperity in the South. " The area must not be so large that the income 

 will support the owner without effort on his part, nor should it be so small that 

 it will make a mere toiler out of the owner, for this narrows the intellect. It 

 should be large enough to provide good farm equipment, buildings, machinery, 

 and stock and furnish labor for the family. The annual income must be 

 sufficient to improve the farm, educate the family, assist in starting its members 

 in ways of independent support, and provide a reserve for old age. The I'nited 

 States has fixed that area in some States at 100 acres. The right acreage of the 

 farm depends upon conditions. In semiarid sections it may require more than 

 double that number of acres, while near large cities less than one-fourth may 

 answer the purpose." 



The small farm is regarded as a means of increasing the dignity of rural life, 

 as an excellent training ground for young men, and as a means of encouraging 

 thrift and conservatism in farmers. In the author's oi)inion, the national gov- 

 ernment should see that rural districts are served at a freight charge based on 

 the cost of service performed. The framing of a law " by which the farmer may 

 participate in the use of an equitable portion of the vast time deposits of the 

 people's money at a moderate rate of interest and upon such securities as lie 

 possesses," is also advocated as a means of promoting the establishment of pros- 

 perous rural homes in the South. 



