manufacturing industries have found much means of development and this proved to be such a 

 contribution for the development of national economy. Agricultural callings are not important 

 in connection with economy only, but are important in social, for, when considered from a 

 hygienic viewpoint, they present another significant aspect. It will be observed that, compared, 

 with those who are engaged in commerce or manufacturing industry, the farmers, as they are in any 

 other country, enjoy better health and have sounder constitution ; and their death-rate is low, while 

 the birth-rate is high. It is, therefore, quite natural that they furnish to the Army and Navy moi e 

 recruits than other classes of people. Next, observing from an ethical point of view, their simpli- 

 city, frugality and diligence considerably bear sway over public morals and, consequently, contribute 

 much good to the welfare of nation. Such being the case, it is hardly necessary to say that agricul- 

 ture should be held in high esteem for sake of the existence of our country. 



II. FARMERS AND THEIR CONDITION. 



Number of Farming Households. — The number of the farming households was 5,510,000 at 

 the end of 1912, that is, about 60 per cent, of all the households in the country. Of the farming 

 household, about 32 per cent, has other occupations, besides farming. The total number of farmers 

 cannot be exactly ascertained, as a proper investigation has not been made ; but judging from the 

 average number of persons per household, it is, at least, no less than 30,000,000. 



The Movement of Agricultural Population. — In recent years, there has been a growing 



