THE TENANT FARMER 439 



in occupation of several thousand acres often in 

 scattered farms, and this vast acreage they cultivate 

 almost as cheaply and as scantily as a colonial farmer 

 would real extensive farming that pays because the 

 expenditure is low enough to leave a margin of 

 profit even with the small returns. These men 

 worked in the spirit of the late Sir John Lawes's 

 dictum, that high farming is no remedy for low prices, 

 and when things were at their worst they were useful 

 in keeping the land going somehow ; but with better 

 prices and with the openings that have been found 

 for specialized agriculture the need for such prairie 

 farming is past. 



However, the greater part of the land of the country 

 is held by men occupying single farms of from 150 to 

 500 acres, the men who may most rightly be labelled 

 farmers. Now, if we examine the methods of a good 

 example of this class, engaged in growing corn, raising 

 stock or milk, it would be very hard for the most 

 enlightened and scientific expert to show him how to 

 improve his business. His actual husbandry is generally 

 above reproach : it might perhaps be cheapened by 

 newer machines and a little courage in straightening 

 boundaries and throwing fields together ; his choice of 

 seed and manures is sound, if somewhat traditional and 

 conservative ; and the feeding of his stock is not sus- 

 ceptible of any revolutionary reform. Again, his business 

 methods, if simple, are cheap and fairly adequate ; for 

 the farm of the size we are considering forms a reason- 

 able economic unit that purchases and sells on moderately 

 wholesale lines. Undoubtedly by co-operation some- 

 thing might be knocked off the cost of materials bought, 

 and in the end a more stable market might be found 

 for the produce (the uneconomic nature of the present 

 system may be gauged by the number of dealers, 



