RURAL ECONOMICS. 1087 



RURAL ECONOMICS. 



Chapters in rural progress, K. L. Butterfielu {Chicayo, 1908, pp. IX + 

 251). — This book presents some of the more signifleaiit phases of the rural 

 problem which is said to be " isolation," and particularly describes some of 

 the agencies at work in solving it. Chief among the latter are discussed road 

 improvsment, telephone service, interurbau electric railways, many phases of 

 agricultural education, farmers' organizations, the church, and general interest 

 in rural problems. With these agencies at work in removing the feeling of 

 isolation so characteristic of farm life, their operation during the past decade 

 is believed to indicate for the future a steady improvement in rural conditions, 

 a larger development of rural life, and a greater i)rosperity for agriculture. 



An inquiry into the rent of agricultural land in England and Wales dur- 

 ing- the nineteenth century. It. J. Thompson {Jour. Roy. iStutis. fe'oc., 70 

 {1901), No. J,, pp. oS7-l>J'i, (tyin. 1). — Tabulated data secured by investigation 

 and from various sources are presented and discussed from the standpoints 

 of actual and economic rent. 



Under the former which considers only gross rent, the conclusion is drawn 

 that "the average rent of agricultural land in England and Wales in liXK) was 

 30 per cent below the figure of 1872, 34 per cent below the maximum of 1877, 

 and 13 per cent below the tigure of 184G." The economic rent is determined 

 by taking the average of gross rent for the century as equal to fl, and deduct- 

 ing estimated expenditures for repairs, management, interest, etc., as equal to 

 15s. 5d., the balance of 4s. 7d. representing the rent per acre of the land itself, 

 i. e., the economic rent. Thus the annual net return to the nation during the 

 century on 27,400,000 acres was about £6,300,000. The paper is followed by 

 a discussion. 



Variations in the value of land in England during- the nineteenth century, 

 A. DE FoviLLE {I'Jcoii. Friuiv., 36 {1908), I, No. 12, pp. .',01, J,08). — Statistical 

 data are presented and discussed which show a gradual increase in the value 

 of land from the beginning of the century to the years 1871-187.5 when the 

 maximum was reached. Regarding this period as 100, the decline in laud 

 values is thus shown: For 1876-1880, 96; 1881-1885, 86; 1S86-1S90, 77; 1801- 

 1895, 70; and 1896-1900, 71. Comparative figures show a close correspondence 

 between the value of land, tax rates, and the prices of agricultural products 

 during the same periods. 



Small holdings and allotments act, 1907 {London: Gov't., 1907, pp. 28). — 

 This is the text of the law which iiecame operative January 1, 1908, conferring 

 authority on the county councils or the conunissioners of the Board of Agricul- 

 ture and Fisheries to acquire lands, either freely or compulsorily, for the us(? 

 of small holdings. 



Circular under the small holdings act, T. H. Elliott {Jour. Bd. Ayr. [Lon- 

 don], I'f {J908), No. 12, pp. 7.;-'/-7J7).— This circular by the Board of Agricul- 

 ture and Fisheries sunnnarlzes the i)owers and duties of parish councils and 

 chairmen of parish meetings regarding the acquisition, management, and con- 

 trol of land for small holdings in England and Wales under the provisions of 

 the act of 1907. 



The agricultural cooperative movement in France, M. Lair {Rev. Leon. 

 Intcrnat., 5 {1908), I, Xo. 1, pp. G2-/0()). — This is a history of agricultural 

 cooperation in France from its legal establishment in 1884 to the year 1906, 

 with a discussion of its economic significance and prospects for future develop- 

 ment. The cooperative societies ia France numbered more than 4,000 in 19fX>. 



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