OF AGRICULTURE. 117 



face of the rent being increased each nine years, 

 many farmers have lately abstained from further 

 improvements. 



Another example of what could be achieved 

 by means of an effort of the nation seconded 

 by its educated classes is given by Denmark. 

 After the war of 1864, which ended in the loss 

 of one of their provinces, the Danes made an 

 effort widely to spread education amongst their 

 peasants, and to develop at the same time an 

 intensive culture of the soil. The result of these 

 efforts is now quite evident. The rural popu- 

 lation of Denmark, instead of flocking to the 

 towns, has been increasing : in five years, 

 1906-1911, it rose from 1,565,585 to 1,647,350. 

 Out of a total population of 2,775,100, no less 

 than 990,900 find their living in agriculture, 

 dairy work, and forestry. With a very poor 

 soil, they have a cultivated area a trifle below 

 7,000,000 acres, out of which 2,773,320 acres 

 are under cereals. Their wheat crops are on 

 the average 40^ bushels per acre, and the 

 value of the home-grown food-stuffs is esti- 

 mated at 40,000,000, which makes a little 

 less than 6 per acre. As to their exports of 

 home-grown produce, they exceed the imports 

 by 14,483,000. The chief cause of these suc- 

 cesses are : A highly developed agricultural 



