RURAL ECONOMICS. 691 



Ilaainionlon, X. J., " in order io show wliat the soutlicni Ualiau — the lowest 

 class of iinmisrant — can do to advance himself in the mid^t of an American 

 farming community." 



The topics discussetl include the Italians as fruit growers, farmers, and in 

 industry, their acquisition of property, standard of living, social relations, etc. 

 From this study the author believes that the Italian is a desirable acipiisition 

 to this country, that the solution of the problem of assimilating such innnigrants 

 lies in establishing them in country districts where the climate and products 

 are suited to their constitutions, and that the South, where the need of farm 

 labor is greatly felt, offers a field for their labor as a substitute for northern 

 Eui-opeans. i 



The results of investigations on the profitableness of agriculture (Bui. 

 Mens. Off. Rcnsrig. Agr. ll'diis]. G {1901), Xcs. 8, pp. 977-!l,S7 ; 9, pp. lU).]- 

 1120). — Detailed statistical data regarding the incomes from different size 

 farms in Switzerland for the quinquennial period 1901 to lOOf) are repoi'ted and 

 discussed. 



The average annual income from farms averaging 1,3.S1 hectares (about S."") 

 acres) was 6,51>5 francs. The total average annual income from 662 exploita- 

 tions was 4,303 francs, expenditures 8,189 francs, which gave a total average 

 annual increase of wealth from each farm of 1,114 francs (about $217). 



Studies in rural economics and legislation, R. Worms {Etudes d'Eeonomic 

 et dr Legislation, RuniUs. Paiis, 1906, pp. T7//+'^0//).— This is a compilation 

 of the author's addresses, reviews of books, discussions, etc.. relating to agri- 

 cultural economy and legislation delivered before learned societies from 1899 

 to IVX)'). The papers are grouped under general topics dealing with rural eco- 

 nomics, agricultural laborers, proprietors, and organizations, the circulation of 

 agricultural wealth, and agricultural instruction and research. 



English agriculture and the new act ^Economist, 6J {1901), Xo. SSJf.^, pp. 

 lUGl, IGGS). — A discussion of the main provisions of the new Small Holdings 

 and Allotments Act, the purpose of which is " to reestablish the small culti- 

 vator by providing him with a few acres at a reasonable rent and with security 

 of tenure." For the first quarter (.Januai-y, 1908) of the operation of the act 

 ParliauKMit has appropriated £100,000. 



Some considerations relating to the position of the small holdings in 

 the United Kingdom, W. G. S. Adams {Jour. Roy. Statis. Soc, 10 {1907), Xo. 3, 

 pp. 'il l-.'i'i8). — This paper discusses: (1) The statistical evidence as to the 

 number and size of small holdings in the United Kingdom; (2) certain changes 

 in agricultural economic conditions affecting the small-holding problem, such as 

 the shi-iui<age of the area of tillage, the increase in agricultural imports, and 

 the changes of agricultural prices; and (3) conditions essential to the economic 

 develoi)nu'nt of a small farm holding. 



An api)endix contains a statement regarding the acreage under crops, live 

 stock, implements, receipts and exiienditures, and net returns of a 20-acre farm 

 of good average land well cultivated. While under present conditions the 

 holder of 20 acres of average land appears to receive an annual net return of 

 from £30 to £70, under a' proper system of management which the api)endix 

 illustrates the 20-acre farm is believed to be capable of yielding a net income 

 of about fS."). This income, with house and garden free, makes the lot of the 

 small holder vastly superior to that of the ordinary industrial worker. 



The paper is followed by a discussion. 



Credit to agricultural cooperative societies, If. Worms {Bui. *sv>c. Xut. Agr. 

 1'ranee, 67 ( 1907), Xo. 7, pp. G.J9-G1G). — The author discusses the law of Decem- 

 ber 29, l!'0<i. authorizing loans to agricultural cooperative societies. 



