I 



Independent Farmer Becoming Tenant. 113 



Of the states of this division Nebraska is the most 

 recently settled, and it is seen that to every man who 

 came into possession of a farm by purchase, more than 

 six rented the farms they carried on. In 1900, 45% of 

 all farms owned by those who tilled them were mort- 

 gaged. 



The historical State of Kansas shows a decrease in 

 ownership of farms of over 3%, and an increase in the 

 number of farms rented of 169%. About 42% of the 

 farms owned by the tillers thereof were mortgaged. 



The story of Iowa is nearly as bad: less than 6% 

 ownership gain, and 80% gain in rentals; while 53% of 

 the owners who tilled their farms carried mortgages. 



Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota show a far larger 

 increase in ownership than Iowa, and the percentage of 

 mortgaged is somewhat less; but there is a far greater 

 gain in rentals, especially in Minnesota. Here a gain in 

 ownership of over 52% is accompanied by a gain in ten- 

 ants of 216%. 



Illinois shows a comparatively small gain in rented 

 farms, but a positive loss in ownership of over 8%. 



The last of the North Central group to which we call 

 attention is Ohio. No state in the Union is better cir- 

 cumstanced for securing rich agricultural returns. It is 

 centrally located, with all its territory easily accessible 

 by water or railroads. Its soil is most fertile. The land 

 is cut into small farms, indicating intensive farming. In 

 population only three states exceed it, which gives its 

 farmers a market for the most profitable crops at their 

 very doors. A very large portion of its people are en- 

 gaged in manufacture. In 1900 the value of such prod- 

 ucts was so great as to give Ohio the fifth place in this 

 industry. If the theory is sound that protection creates 



8 



