190 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



veaclied that the active prineiiiles of (li<ritalis are so changed or destroyed in the 

 stomach of ruminants that they have no pliarmacentical action npon the organ- 

 ism. Digitalis given by intravenous injections, however, exercises the same 

 effect as upon other mammals. 



EURAL ECONOMICS. 



The- agrarian question in the German economic system to the middle of the 

 nineteenth century, E. Ckonbacii (Dun lundtcirtschaftlii-hc BctricbHijroblciii in 

 (Icr ilcutschcn \n1ion(i1(iJ:o)ioinic his zur Mittc dcs XIX. JahrJudidcrts. Vienna, 

 J 907, PI). Xl[-\-3SS). — This book gives a historical and critical study of the prob- 

 lems relating to farm management and land ownership in Germany beginning 

 with the sixteenth century. 



The agrarian social problem in Spain, up:l Retamoso (Cronica del Curso 

 Breve de Cucstiones Socialcs Celehrado en Madrid, 1906. Madrid, 1907, pp. 

 118-161). — This is a series .of three lectures delivered in Madrid in 1906 and 

 entitled as follows: (1) Determination of its distinctive characters in the dif- 

 ferent districts of Spain; (2) agricultural crises and their causes; and (3) a 

 critical examination of proposed remedies and a study of principal solutions. 

 An extensive bibli(>graphy is appended. 



[Papers relating- to rural economics] (Rpt. Brit. Assoe. Adv. ScL, 1907, pp. 

 507-603). — Summaries of papers on the following subjects read at the annual 

 meeting of the British Association for the Advancement of Science at Leicester, 

 July 31 to August 7, 1907, are reported : 



Small occnp!/in(j oicnerships, J. Collings (pp. 597-599). — This is a plea for 

 the establishment cf the British laud system on the basis of occupying owner- 

 ship. To facilitate the scheme proposed the author advocates (1) a better 

 system of rural education and (2) the establishment of cooperation among 

 cultivators for both buying and selling. The creation of a class of small owners 

 it is believed would solve the grave social problems of the unemployed, hous- 

 ing, and widespread destitution, and " to pledge the national credit for the 

 purpose of carrying it out would be in accordance with the principles of a 

 sound national and political economy." 



Tlic importance of the distinction beticecn (1) subsistence farminr/ and (2) 

 producino for a market in connection, with small holdinys, W . Cunningham 

 (pp. 599, GOO). — As compared with large farming it is believed the sn}all holder 

 who tries to make a living from his land without other source of income is 

 liable to fail. But, if allotments and small holdings can be combined with 

 opportunities of wage-earning, so that the land is used to provide a portion 

 at least of the means of subsistence, it would tend to improve greatly the 

 material welfare of the artisan class. 



Some notes on tlie small holdings of Worcestershire, Kirkaldy (pp. (iOO, 

 001). — A brief sketch of the history and methods of working of small holdings 

 in this county which was the pioneer in the movement in England. The re- 

 sults show the value of a committee of practical men to foster the movement, to 

 train the small holder, and to apply the principles of cooperation. The ques- 

 tion of assessment requires thorough revision. 



Agricultural cooperation in Great Britain. R. A. Yerburgh (pp. GOl-603). — 

 Noted from another source (E. S. R., 19, p. 587). 



Small holding's in Hampshire, J. C. Newsham (Jour. Bd. Agr. [London], 15 

 U908), Xo. 2, pp. S3-9.'i). — This article sets foi'th the opportunities the county 

 of Hampshire, England, affords to the small holder as regards labor, soil, and 

 markets, gives the economic returns of various tyi)es of holdings, and shows 

 that failures occurred " among those who possessed limited capital and a still 





