DISTRIBUTION OF WEALTH 



time, or with a different farmer on the same farm 

 at the same time, the share of the gross returns 

 received by each factor may be different. The 

 problem of distribution is consequently so com- 

 plex and difficult that it will be impossible in this 

 work to do more than to indicate in a general 

 way the operation of the forces and conditions 

 which regulate the distribution of the product 

 among the factors of production. 



Let us first examine the different factors of pro- 

 duction, land, capital-goods, and farmers, and 

 determine if possible how much each factor must 

 receive in order that it may be induced to partici- 

 pate in agricultural production. In this discus- 

 sion we shall speak of farmers, as synonymous 

 with labor, for the reason that this will simplify 

 the discussion, and for the further reason that in 

 the vast majority of cases most of the farm work 

 is done by the farmer and his family. 



The farmer must receive, at least, enough to 

 sustain his body in a working condition, and he 

 will usually demand more than this. He will 

 usually want to support a family, and this is 

 essential to the future supply of labor. It may 

 be said, therefore, that in the long run, the least 

 return that will induce men to become farmers is 

 maintenance for themselves and their families 

 in accordance with the "standard of life," 1 which 



1 "The number and character of the wants which a man 

 considers more important than marriage and family consti- 



153 



