are operated by those who own the land in whole or in part. 

 21.4% are operated by tenants. This is an increase of .5% in the 

 amount of tenantry during ten years, and of 6.2% since 1890; 

 a small degree of change to be sure, but a change in the wrong direction. 

 In at least two districts, Laytonsville and Potomac, the amount of tenan- 

 try has been increased appreciably during five or six years, and has 

 meant a poorer and less profitable grade of farming, and a gradual ap- 

 preciation of the soil. On the face of the returns, the per cent, of farms 

 operated by owners, 75.4%, seems like a fair proportion. These farms, 

 however, only represent 55% of the total acreage of farm land, and the same 

 per cent, of the total value of farm property. That is to say, a much greater 

 proportion of the small farms are operated by their owners than of the 

 large ones. Of the farms of 19 acres or less, 88.6% are operated by 

 owners; of those of 19-99 acres, 74.5% are so operated; of those of 

 100-259 acres, 60.3%; of those of more than 259 acres, 51.8%. Speak- 

 ing broadly, it is common experience that under a system of tenantry 

 the land is usually not so well farmed as when operated by its owners. 

 The tenant usually has but a short lease on the land ; inferior methods of 

 farming are apt to be employed; the needs of the soil are not so carefully 

 studied or attended to; there is generally a smaller working capital; the 

 cost of operation is somewhat greater. In consequence, the property 

 is not kept up ; the fertility of the soil is seldom increased or even main- 



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DIAGRAM NO. I — HOW THE LANDtS HELD BY SIZE OF FARMS 

 11 



