EURAL ECONOMICS. 89 



bousing of laborers. Tbe latter is regarded as especially likely to stop foreign 

 emigration and cause the ultimate return of tbe people to tbe land. 



A gxiide for immigrants and settlers, P. Hunter et al. (Sydney: Govt.. 

 lH'iO. 1,1,. nil + J/N. pjsi. SI, fif/ii. 32D, map 1). — Tbis gives a bistory of tbe agri- 

 cultural development of New Soutb Wales, points out its industrial and agricul- 

 tural possibilities, and gives suggestions to immigrants wbo intend to engage in 

 agriculture. Information is given regarding tbe metbods of acquiring land and 

 of securing advances by settlers. 



Reports on land settlement in Southern Rhodesia, 1906-7, C. D. Wise 

 iRpts. Land Settlement So. Rhodesia, WUli-l, pp. 20). — On tbe basis of personal 

 observations of the agricultural possibilities of the country, the author recom- 

 mends a system of land settlement in brief as follows : 



The establishment of a central farm by the British Soutb Africa Co. of not 

 less than 5.000 acres to serve as an experimental and training farm for pros- 

 pective settlers ; tbe allotment of farms to settlers of from 1.000 to 1..300 acres 

 in size with alternate blocks of similar size reserved by the company ; tbe 

 selection of practical farm bands only as settlers ; tbe erection of temporary 

 huts, with a view to the health and social intercourse of the settlers : the 

 encouragement of diversified farming under irrigation wherever feasible : finan- 

 cial aid to farmers in a way to stimulate self-help and independent action : and 

 supervision of the settlers" farms by the company's hired manager, with a view 

 of giving advice where needed. 



The recommendations as to advances to settlers are made for tbe purpose of 

 protecting the company while making repayment as easy as possible. 



The agricultural wealth and development of Western Siberia, H. C. Cae- 

 PENTER (Amer. ExiJorter, GO (1001), Ao. 1. pp. 3-6. flfjs. 10). — Tbis is a descrip- 

 tion of. the area, geological characteristics, mineral resources, and agricultural 

 possibilities of Western Siberia. 



Under native or Kirkhiz occupation tbis vast territory was agriculturally 

 neglected with tbe exception of the raising of live stock, but in recent years 

 farmers from Russia. Germany, Denmark. Norway, and Sweden have settled 

 there and introduced modern metbods of culture and machinery. " Their 

 example has been of great value to the Siberian peasants in teaching methods 

 of up-to-date farming. . . . The American observer is. however, forcibly 

 struck by tbe comparatively small development that has taken place in this 

 region of unexplored riches and by the marvelous opportunities that await 

 intelligent efforts and cai)ital."* 



Agriculture in Central Spain, A. A. de Ilera (Ann. Gemhloiix. iT (1901), 

 Xo. .'/. pp. 196-217, figs. 2, map 1). — The author descrilies the geography, climate, 

 river systems, and general agricultural conditions of tbis region, which embraces 

 more than half of Spain. 



Agriculture is confined largely to small farms, which are worked with crude 

 implements. Occasionally farms ranging from 50 to 150 hectares are owned or 

 woi'ked by individuals with modern machinery, but rarely is a farm found of 

 more than 1.50 hectares. The system of farming on shares is largely practiced. 

 Wages of regular farm hands range from SJ to Vl\ francs per week in autumn 

 and winter, and from 10* to 15J in spring. During tbe harvest season piece- 

 work is tbe general rule when farm hands receive from 125 to 150 francs for 

 six weeks' or two months' work v^ith board included. The fare provided for 

 farm help is said to be excellent. Educational institutions for promoting 

 agriculture are few in number. 



To give a new impetus to agriculture in Spain the author recommends 

 reforestation, tbe construction of irrigation works and the more general practice 



