600 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



Agricultural explorations in Algeria, T. H. Keakney and T. H. Means ( U. S. 

 Dept. Agr., Bur. Plant Indus. Bid. 80, pp. 98, ph. 4)-— This bulletin describes the 

 climate, topography, soil, agricultural products, and general economic conditions of 

 Algeria. 



The climate of Algeria is comparable to that of California. The vine is the greatest 

 single source of wealth. The average annual value of the products of the vineyards 

 is estimated at $5,000,000. The principal orchard fruits are the olive, citrus fruits, 

 figs, and dates. Of these, the olive stands first in commercial importance. Near 

 the coast are many market gardens, from which shipments are made to the European 

 markets in the winter and early spring. 



The principal field crops are wheat and barley, which occupy about 7,000,000 acres 

 annually, and which supply a large export trade. Indian corn and sorghum are 

 grown by the natives. "The only valuable 'industrial ' crops are tobacco and cer- 

 tain plants used in the manufacture of perfumery." 



Studies upon the development of the demand for agricultural labor in East 

 Prussia during- the nineteenth century, F. Wegener (Landw. Jahrb., 34 (1905), 

 No. 3-4, pp. 311-488).— This paper shows that there was a great increase in the pro- 

 duction of all classes of farm products in East Prussia during the nineteenth century. 

 It is emphasized that this increased production has resulted principally from an 

 increase in the intensity of culture. The higher degree of intensity of culture has 

 necessarily made an increased demand for labor. The increase in the number of 

 laborers has not kept pace. There have been two results: (1) Wages have risen and 

 the condition of the agricultural laborers has been materially improved. (2) Labor- 

 saving machinery has been introduced. 



"The introduction of machinery in agriculture has not, as in the manufacturing 

 industries, resulted in the lowering of the level of intelligence among the working 

 classes. On the contrary, it has resulted in increased intelligence and skill. . . . 

 Machinery has not resulted, as in the manufacturing industries, in a decrease but 

 in an increase in wages." 



Agricultural laborers in the district of Melun, H. Hitier (Jour. Agr. Prat., n. 

 ser., 10 (1905), No. 41, pp. 458, 459).— This article is a brief review of a comprehensive 

 report on the same subject by M. Brandin. 



In recent years the native agricultural laborers of northern France, notably in the 

 regions of sugar-beet production, have desired the restriction and even the prohi- 

 bition of the immigration of foreign agricultural laborers. The native laborers believe 

 that such restriction will result in an important increase in their wages. The inves- 

 tigations of M. Brandin lead to the conclusion, however, that such restrictions will 

 depress rather than raise wages. 



There are two systems of crop rotation from which the farmer of this district may 

 choose: First, wheat, oats, and sugar beets; and, second, wheat, oats, and grass crops 

 sown with the oats. It is calculated that the first system makes a demand for five 

 laborers on the same area that the second system makes a demand for two; but if the 

 native laborers must be depended upon, there will be no more than three laborers 

 where five will be needed for the system including the sugar beets. Hence the 

 restrictions on the influx of foreign laborers will make it necessary for the farmers to 

 resort to the more extensive of these two systems of culture. This will make a 

 demand for but two laborers where there are three native laborers competing for the 

 positions. 



Thus it is that restrictions on the immigration of laborers instead of resulting in a 



rise in wages may bring about a retrograde movement in agriculture and depress wages. 



Laborers' holdings in Denmark (Dept. Agr. and Tech. Iiistr. Ireland Jour., 5 



(1905), No. 4, pp. 701-709). — This article describes recent legislation in Denmark 



which provides for State aid to agricultural laborers in securing small holdings. 



