488 KXI'KKIMKMT STATION JtECORD. 



lc> 1!XH>, ];iii(l (kHiciised in value from 20 to 43 per cent jifcording to location. 

 The decrease in general is about 31 per cent, which corresponds closely with 

 the figure readied by Saulnier (see above). The author believes, however, that 

 ilie price of agricultural products is sure to rise and that this tendency will 

 r.-iise the value of agricultural lands again in the near future. 



The farm labor problem (Wallaces' Farmer, 33 (1908), No. 37, p. tOSJi). — 

 In this article attention is called to the scai'city of practical farm help and the 

 impossibility of farmers employing men from cities to advantage in modern 

 farm work. The only remedy open to farmei-s is believed to be in the use of 

 more machinery and less labor. 



The white im^m.igrant as a plantation laborer, W. .7. Behan {La. Planter, .'// 

 (1908), Xo. 8, PI). J:^o, 126, figs, .)). — The author relates the experience of south- 

 ern i)lanters in dealing with Bulgarian immigrants. Instead of paying them by 

 the day and allowing them to board themselves, in which case they would in- 

 variably leave the farms after the grinding season, the plan of paying them .$!.") 

 per month, afterwards increased to $20, with board and lodging was adopted. 

 This method proved eminently successful in keeping these laborers on the land, 

 and in the author's opinion offers a practical solution of the labor problem on 

 sugar i)lantations in the South. 



Rural mutual association, T. Sakazin (i^ei)iaiiie Ayr. [Parif<'\, 27' (1908). A'o. 

 1)18, pp. J3(i, 237). — The author points out the educational and economic benefits 

 to farmers of the principle of mutual help, and sets forth the objects and meth- 

 ods of the different mutual associations in France and other European countries. 



The agricultural cooperative congress at Piacenza, E. Ottavi (Colli ratorc, 

 .'t'l {}9()8), Xo. .'lO, pp. Ji22--i26). — A brief account is presented of this congress 

 of national and international agricultural cooperative societies, held at Piacenza 

 on September 23-2(5, 190S. At that date the societies for the purchase of supplies 

 numbered 1,414 and the rural banks 1,650. The-'" affittauze collettive," or socie- 

 ties of agricultural laborers, numbered 150, a gain of 42 during the year (E. S, 

 K.. v.). ]). .jST). 



Agricultural mutual credit banks in 1907 (Sciuaiiw Ayr. [Paris], 27 (t90S), 

 Xo. lJi20, p. 2')1). — The returns for 1907 show that the district banks numbered 

 88, the local banks affiliated with the district banks 2,168, with 96,102 adherents, 

 and new loans during the year of 45,376,300 francs. These figures show sub- 

 stantial gains over 1906 (E. S. R., 19, p. 692). 



Agricultural credit banks (Economist, 67 (1908), Xo. 3390, pp. 306, 307).— 

 This is a discussion of the development and methods of operation of agricul- 

 tural credit baiUiS in Ireland, Germany, and France, and of their adaptability 

 to England in connection with the working of the Small Holdings Act (E. S. R., 

 19, p. 10.S7). 



Agricultural credit societies (Jour. Bd. Agr. [London], 15 (1908), No. 6, pp. 

 .'i07-'il.'i). — An article similar in scope to the above. 



The new development in agricultural cooperation, H. Plunkett (Irish 

 Homestead, 15 (1908), Xos. 32, pp. 630-632; 33, pp. 650-652; 3-'i, pp. 670, 671).— 

 This article sets forth the objects and aims of the centralized organization due 

 to the combination of the Irish. English, and Scotch agricultural organization 

 societies. Two boards were constituted, one for extending organization among 

 farmers and the other for extending cooperative trade in farm products. This 

 new machinery will also be used as opportunity offers for advancing and pro- 

 tecting the interests of the agricultural classes in relation to government. The 

 practicability of these lines of activity is fully discussed. 



Credit bank for the encouragement of irrigation works and agriculture 

 (Bol. 8oc. Agr. Mexicana^ 32 (1908), Xo. 3'i, pp. 661-665; Mod. Mex., 28 (1908), 



