CHAPTER III. 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT OF BONANZA AND 

 TENANT FARMS. 



SOME of the press titterings with regard to the 

 operations of the bonanza farms, at the time I 

 first called attention to the matter, in the pages of 

 the Atlantic Monthly, appeared to have the design 

 of hiding the facts, belittleing the development, and 

 ridiculing any anxiety that might be excited. It was 

 declared to be a movement of very limited extent, of 

 temporary duration, that would leave no permanent 

 effects. 



An examination of the census reports for 1860, "70, 

 and '80 will serve to show how limited is its extent, 

 and whether it challenges attention or should be alto- 

 gether ignored ; or, rather, be flattered and extolled 

 as one of the most beneficent developments of the age. 



The census reports unfortunately give the data for 

 only one part of the inquiry, that touching the in- 

 crease in number. Of the size of those great food 

 factories and monopolies, beyond the statement that 

 they are of " 1,000 acres and over," they give no in- 

 formation. Yet these holdings, by individuals alone, 

 range up into hundreds of thousands, and in one in- 

 stance, at least, into millions of acres ; and when held 



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