24? READINGS IN Rl'RAL ECONOMICS 



their civilization, the wealth and density of their population, have 

 also exerted a great influence. 



Hut above all these causes producing their different effects in 

 the different regions of Germany, we must name, last but not 

 least, a common cause, which to-day is likely to be as much for- 

 gotten as forty or fifty years ago it was overestimated : the influ- 

 ence of the soil and its configuration as the basis of all economic 

 activity. A comparison of the regions showing the three forms 

 of rural policy with the physical map of the German Empire 

 makes this influence apparent. We perceive an obvious and after 

 all natural connection with its physical division into three parts ; 

 and that this is in turn responsible for the different traits of our 

 people has been clearly shown by that thorough student of our 

 country, the late W. H. Riehl. These parts are, first, the low- 

 land of Northern Germany ; secondly, mountainous Central Ger- 

 many ; thirdly, the plateau of Upper Germany, namely, Lower, 

 Central, and Upper Germany. These three regions have wholly 

 different natural conditions of economic development : 



The first is predominantly maritime, particularly suited for 

 navigation and commerce, with its navigable rivers leading to 

 the sea ; but the rivers have little fall, hence scant development 

 of industries dependent on water power. The second region, ex- 

 tending in the west from the Lake of Constance and northern 

 Switzerland to Cologne, in the east to the Erz Mountains, in the 

 form of a triangle, has a network of rivers and brooks, many small 

 but useful water powers, therefore an early development and un- 

 precedented variety of industries. The number of rivers in the 

 third region is similar to that of the first ; but the Alpine streams 

 are not suitable either for navigation or for industrial purposes : 

 " they separate, they do not unite." 



The second domain, mountainous Central Germany, which 

 was most influenced and fertilized by Roman civilization, shows 

 naturally, therefore, the first higher industrial development and 

 formation of town life, of movable property, and of the monetary 

 system ; above all else it shows the development of industry in 

 the country also, in the villages. Hence here the early decay of 

 the rural policy in the form of the old manorial system, the feudal 



