EURAL ECONOMICS. 289 



is now produced in the Northwest and its general use is prohibited by the high 

 price ($1 per gallon) at which it is sold, and by the lack of suitable burners, 

 engines, and other appliances, the author believes that it- will eventually become 

 an active competitor of gasoline in the region, and that special farm crops will 

 be grown for its production for local use. 



RURAL ECONOMICS. 



Land reform: Occupying ownership, peasant proprietary, and rural edu- 

 cation, J. CoLLiNGS (London, IDOS, pp. XXIX+Ji52}. — This book is a history of 

 the land-tenure system of England. It proposes as a remedy for rural depopu- 

 lation, scarcity of trained farm labor, the pauper system, the unemployed in 

 cities, and other rural, economic, and social problems, " a measure of land 

 reform based on the principle of occupying ownership," the creation of a 

 peasant proprietary, and a system of agricultural education that will initiate 

 the children in rural subjects during the most impressionable period of their 

 lives. If this policy could be carried out the author believes " it gives some 

 hope of a remedy for the present deplorable condition of rural life in England." 



The agrarian problem in England, G. Lecarpentier {Rev. Econ. Inteniat., 

 5 (1908), II, Xo. 2, pp. .'i03-.'il7). — This is a historical review of the agricultural 

 land problem in England, including a discussion of the land-tenure system, the 

 inclosure acts relating to common fields, and their effects on rural depopula- 

 tion. Particular attention is given to the Small Holdings Act of 1907, which is 

 held to correct the defects of a similar act passed by Parliament in 1892. The 

 benefits of the new law relate to the government's interest in making it easier 

 for the small farmer to acquire land and the necessary capital to exploit it. 



The farm labor of rural England, F. Ryziger (Ann. Gemhloux, 18 (1908), 

 Xo. 7, pp. Ji03-Jf31). — The author by personal inquiry and a study of the litera- 

 ture on the subject sets forth in this article a review of the conditions which 

 have brought about rural depopulation in England and considers the govern- 

 mental and other proposed remedies to counteract the movement toward the 

 cities. 



To improve rural labor conditions in England the author believes (1) that 

 information should be procured and presented to farm laborers comparing the 

 actual wage conditions of city and farm laborers, the advantage being easily 

 shown to be with the latter, (2) that farm laborers be given practical instruc- 

 tion especially relating to the advantages offered in rural life, and (3) that 

 they then be left to develop naturally the power of individual initiative. 



The farmer and the laborer, T. P. Gill (Dept. Agr. and Tech. Instr. Ireland- 

 Jour., 8 (1908), Xos. 3, pp. ^09--'f22; .'/, pp. 635-650). — These are two addresses 

 delivered before societies of farmers and farm laborers of County Tipperary in 

 February and May, 1908. 



The author discusses the existing relations between these classes in Ireland 

 and points out some ways in which improvement could be effected. Among these 

 are mentioned the development of intensive culture, the more regular employ- 

 ment of labor, the raising of first-class dairy, poultry, and other products, the 

 recognition of merit in farm hands by better remuneration, the development of 

 cooperation and mutual credit banks, improvement in the farm laborer's dietary, 

 more efficient training for laborers, a better system of education, and fair facili- 

 ties for the provident farm laborer to acquire a farm of his own. 



Beport of the Irish Agricultural Organization Society, Limited, N. T. 



EvERARD and R. A. Anderson (Rpt. Irish Agr. Organ. 8oc., 1901, pp. 19, map 1). — ■ 



Detailed statistical data with discussion of the work of the affiliated agricultural 



cooperative and credit societies for the year ended June 30, 1907. On December 



59778— Xo. 3—08 7 



