40 THE "BACK TO THE LAND" MOVEMENT 



or grazing) at $40.00 per acre, which land will only carry one 

 'wool' sheep to the acre?" His answer was disconcerting. He 

 said, "I do not think so." Settlers in this region impressed on 

 the committee that the least area on which a satisfactory living 

 at wheat growing could be made was six hundred acres, or, twice 

 the average size allotment held by settlers. Hence the result 

 of many years of experimentation in "closer settlements" in the 

 dry area of Australia proved that small holdings are not a success 

 under certain conditions; that larger holdings must be encouraged 

 under certain circumstances; and that in any event the size of 

 the holding should be governed by such economic conditions as 

 the nature of the soil and climate, the product of the soil, and the 

 relation of this product to the wide question of supply and demand. 



In New Zealand the farming industry is receiving the closest 

 attention. At the 1916 meeting of the New Zealand Farmers 

 Union, held at Wellington, among the important matters discussed 

 was that of the adoption of more effective measures for preventing 

 the increase of larger holdings of land, it being considered detri- 

 mental to the development of the country in general. 



The Problem in the United States. Two classes of our people 

 are enthusiastically advocating the "Back to the Land" move- 

 ment. Many of these accept the forty-acre farm unit as the ideal. 

 These two classes are the editors of our city papers and the "High 

 Cost of Living" sufferers, also city dwellers. To the city dweller, 

 one cure for the high cost ot living is cheap food. But while cheap 

 food would be good for the city, it would be bad for the farm. 

 Conversely, dear food is good for the farmer, since he has it to 

 sell, but bad for the city man. 



The problem is a complex one. The metropolitan editors 

 usually say: "Be independent. Be good citizens. And by quitting 

 the city for the farm, you will become both." Such a readjustment 

 of our population, should there be any considerable drift to the 

 land or development of small holdings, would demand a serious 

 consideration of these economic problems: (1) Subtract labor from 

 the city. This would decrease the output of what? If this shift 

 would merely decrease the production of brass jewelry, artificial 

 flowers and feathers, gewgaws and luxuries, a gain to society rather 

 than a loss would occur. Such a change in consumption would 

 doubtless be welcome if it could be effected. (2) Add labor to 

 the land. This would increase the output of what? More of the 

 staple crops corn, wheat, cotton, etc. are not wanted. Addi- 

 tional labor thrown into competition with the farmers now engaged 



