190 EXPERIMENT STATION EECOED. 



The author first presents statistics showing the decrease in the rural popula- 

 tion and the causes which influenced it and the more than corresponding in- 

 crease in the number of industrial workers which has taken place with the 

 increase of population from the beginning of tlie nineteenth century to the pres- 

 ent time. The labor problem is then discussed from three points of view, (1) 

 agricultural labor as such, (2) the more agreeable and better paid labor in 

 other lines of work, and (3) the movement of population to the cities. It is 

 shown that, with the increased use of machinery in agriculture and the many 

 privileges now afforded agricultural laborers which add to their income as 

 measured in terms of money, the labor of workers in nonagricultural pursuits 

 is neither more agreeable nor better paid than that of the farm; that the 

 attractions of city life are the great cause which has depopulated rural dis- 

 tricts; and that the movement to the cities can best be met by setting up 

 counter attractions for improving and socializing conditions in rural districts. 



Attention is also called to the increasing number of foreign agricultural 

 laborers employed in Germany during harvesting seasons, and to its unfavor- 

 able efi'ects on the economic and social welfare of the country. This is shown 

 by the annual withdrawal of large sums of money paid in wages which are 

 spent in foreign countries and by the great increase in contract breaking against 

 which more stringent laws should be passed and enforced. 



Among the suggestions made for improving agricultural labor conditions in 

 Germany may be mentioned the organization of a labor bureau for placing 

 workmen in those rural districts where there is the greatest demand for their 

 services, the establishment of agricultural colonies, cooperative use of agricul- 

 tural machinery, employment of improved implements, extension of piecework, 

 increase of privileges to the laborers such as dwelling, land, and insurance, 

 improving the social status of the farm hand, pensions for long service, grant- 

 ing a certain portion of the products, legal restrictions against the rural popu- 

 lation crowding into the cities without means and without assui-ance of employ- 

 ment, and the establishment of a tariff sufficiently high to protect the farming 

 Industry. While recognizing the difficulties connected with these suggestions, 

 the author is convinced that they form the basis for the solution of the agricul- 

 tural labor problem in Germany. 



The agricultural labor contract according to the rights of farm laborers 

 and domestics, W. Asmis (Landw. Jahrb., 39 (1910), No. 2, pp. 173-257).— 

 This article deals in detail with the agricultural labor problem in Germany 

 from both the economic and legal points of view, the purpose being to determine 

 how to increase the number of laborers and to counteract rural depopulation. 



The general conclusion is reached that the improvement of the social standing 

 of all classes of rural workers is the best means of keeping them on the land, 

 and that land ownership is the most important means to this end. Better treat- 

 ment of laborers and domestics in the homes of farmers and better facilities for 

 acquiring land are urged for the solution of the agricultural labor problem in 

 Germany. 



An extensive bibliography is included. 



The agricultural labor contract according to the rights of farm laborers 

 and domestics, W. Asmis [Devt. Landw. Presse, 37 {1910), Nos. 26, p. 290; 

 27, pp. 303, 304). — This is a reprint of the author's conclusions to his article 

 noted above. 



Leeds unemployed and afforestation {Country Life [London], 2S {1910), No. 

 720, pp. 564, 565). — This is an account of the progress made on the moor lands 

 owned by the city of Leeds, England, in afforestation and in furnishing work to 

 the unemployed. 



