AGRICULTURAL WAGES 83 



14. Does the supply of labor depend upon its cost of production ? 

 Explain carefully. Should we try here as elsewhere to lower our cost 

 of production by every means possible ? Why ? 



15. In general has the supply of labor in American agriculture 

 been scarce or abundant? The demand keen or slack? The price 

 high or low ? Are you talking of hired labor or self-employed labor ? 

 Would your answer be different in the two cases ? 



16. Would it be different if you are speaking of wages being high 

 or low as compared with agricultural wages in other countries or as 

 compared with wages in other industries in America at the same time ? 



17. Can a scarcity price for labor be readily corrected by drawing 

 workers from other employments or from a region of abundance to 

 one of scarcity ? Explain both cases. 



18. What noticeable changes have come about in the last few 

 years to alter the conditions of supply of farm labor? in 1892-96? 

 in 1917? 



19. Do you think that the supply of labor in dairy work tends to 

 be relatively more or less scarce than that in other lines? Why? 

 That in raising truck crops ? Why ? In " tractor farming " ? Why ? 



20. Does the farmer have to devise methods of farming which 

 will enable him to offer high wages in order to secure a supply of farm 

 labor today? What "methods of farming" does this imply ? 



21. Does he have to offer attractive work? How can he do so? 

 Does he have to offer attractive living conditions? permanent 

 employment ? 



22. May the skilful farmer so plan his operation as to reduce his 

 need of workers considerably? Is this equivalent to an increase in 

 the supply of labor ? Does it have points of superiority ? What ? 



23. Outline some of the most important of these ways of increas- 

 ing the effective labor supply. 



24. Is farming considered as desirable socially as other callings ? 

 more so? Are conditions undergoing a change? Why? What 

 effect is this likely to have on the supply of labor in agriculture ? 



25. Are country living conditions more attractive or less attrac- 

 tive than city conditions to the rank and file of people ? Why ? Are 

 they more or less healthful? Be very cautious until you have 

 figures. 



26. What proportion of our population must be induced to follow 

 farm life under present organization of agriculture ? Are we keeping 

 up these supplies from within or do we have to draw upon outside 

 resources ? 



27. Is it desirable to increase our supply of farm labor through 

 immigration ? Why ? Through immigration from all sources ? Are 

 the reasons for your answer economic or social ? 



