RURAL ECONOMICS. 693 



Agricultural organization in Illinois, 1870-1880, S. J. Buck {Reprint from 

 Join: 111. State Hist. Soc, 1910, Apr., pp. 16). — An account of the rise and 

 decline of the Patrons of Husbandry and the State Farmers' Association in 

 Illinois from 1870 to ISSO. 



The progress of agriculture in France during the past half century, G. 

 Martin (Effijptc Contenipontinc. 7910, Nos. 1, pp. 55-85; S, pp. J,ll-.',23). — This 

 is a detailed contribution to conipai-ative rural economy with particular ref- 

 erence to the development of the various forms of mutual aid and agricultural 

 cooperation in France during the past 50 years. 



The English agrarian problem in the light of the last election, F. voN 

 Mackay (ZtscJir. Agrarpolitik, 8 (1910), No. 6, pp. 235-239) .—Thin article dis- 

 cusses the Land Improvement Acts of 1SS3, 1895. 1906. and 1908, the Small 

 Holdings and Allotments Act of 1907, and the Development Fund Act of 1909, 

 and the bearing these laws have on solving the agrarian problem in England. 

 The late election in England is regarded as indicating the popular interpi-eta- 

 tion of recent legislation with reference to the change in land tenure, the en- 

 couragement of small holders, and the repopulation of rural districts. 



The small holdings controversy: Tenancy vs. Ownership. Mrs. Roland 

 WiLKixs {London. 1910. pp. 23). — This pamphlet presents arguments for the 

 success of small holdings in England on the basis of tenancy rather than of 

 ownership. 



Agricultural conditions in southern New York, M. C. Burritt ( V. 8. Dept, 

 Agr., Bur. Plant Indus. Circ. 6'i. pp. 19, figs. 6). — This circular describes the 

 extent and conditions of the nonproductive agricultural lands of southern New 

 York, these embracing the whole or portions of 19 counties, and makes sugges- 

 tions for their utilization and improvement by means of rational cropping and 

 stock raising systems of farm management. The lines of development indicated 

 for the average type of so-called abandoned farms of this region are the live- 

 stock industries, the growing of fruit, and the conservation of the farm wood 

 lot, each of which is briefly discussed. The following is a summary of the 

 author's conclusions: 



The run-down condition of land in southern New York is due primarily to 

 the misuse and not to the natural infertility of the soil. The following means 

 are to be depended upon to build up this land: (1) Thorough tillage and 

 liming are the first steps in securing a clover crop, which forms the basis of 

 practically all the successful systems of farming employed in this region; (2) 

 the addition of humus to the soil is the next important step, buckwheat and 

 winter rye being the two most promising crops for this purpose, one of which 

 can be grown and plowed under inside of twelve months: (.3) when a stand of 

 clover is once obtained a short rotation should be adopted, including clover, 

 some grain crop for feeding work stock, and a cash crop; and (4) a potato crop 

 is often the first necessity, in order to provide ready money for improvements 

 and farm operations. After the soil has been improved any one of several sys- 

 tems of farming, such as dairying, sheep raising, fruit growing, etc., whichever 

 is suited to the given locality, can be built up on this foundation. 



Farmers at work, C. C. Georgeson (Alaska St as. Rpt. 1909. pp. 28-32. pis. 

 2). — Brief accounts are given of methods and results of farming, gardening, 

 and live stock raising in the vicinity of Fairbanks, Alaska. 



Renting plan that is bettering 280 acres, A. J. Bill (Farnirrs Voice, 49 

 (1910). .Yo.s-. 91, pp. 3. .'/, figs. 3: 98, pp. .'/, 15, figs. 3). — This article gives an ac- 

 count of arrangements made between landlord and tenant on a five-year lease 

 of a 2S0-acre farm situated in ^IcLean County, 111., which has for its aim better 



