TENANCY AND L AND O W N ERS H I P 



clearly shown. The occupiers of farm homes, 

 who were from 25 to 34 years of age in 1890, 

 were from 35 to 44 in 1900. By comparing these 

 occupiers at the two dates, we find an increase in 

 the percentage of home owners, from 49.8, in 

 1890, to 64.4, in 1900. Of the farm-home occu- 

 piers belonging to the age period from 35 to 44 in 

 1890, and to the age period 45 to 54, in 1900, 64 

 per cent, were owners at the earlier date, and 70.7 

 per cent, at the latter. 



These figures indicate a constant movement 

 from tenancy to landownership. This, however, 

 is a commonplace fact recognized by all who 

 actually observe agrarian movements. This 

 movement is necessary. Young farmers start in 

 with little capital, and through gifts, inheritances, 

 or savings from their profits, they gradually ac- 

 quire ownership. But, from generation to gen- 

 eration, a smaller percentage of the farmers are 

 able to make this transition. Notice in the above 

 table that of the occupiers of farm homes who 

 were less than 25 years of age, a smaller percen- 

 tage were owners in 1900 than in 1890. This is 

 true for every age period given in the table except 

 one; the reverse being true for the period from 35 

 to 44. This suggests that the decline in land- 

 ownership is due to the inability, or disinclina- 

 tion of the succeeding generation to acquire land- 

 ownership so generally as their predecessors. 



If we wish to know why it is becoming more 

 243 



