THE IMMIGRANT 89 



dollars in introducing new plants, animals, and methods of farm- 

 ing from other countries. At the same time little groups of 

 foreigners, such as the Swiss of Wisconsin or later the Italians 

 in some Southern districts, formerly thought of as the least 

 desirable immigrants, have settled in our midst and put into 

 practice their home training, which has resulted in the establish- 

 ing of great industries, such as the Swiss cheese industry. The 

 class of immigrants most desired is, therefore, those who will 

 add most to the industry they enter. But it is not necessary 

 that the immigrants should introduce some new sub-industry or 

 be in advance of us in their methods in order to make them 

 eligible to enter the agricultural industries. We may say as a 

 general proposition that farmers from nearly any agricultural 

 community in Europe would be acceptable in some of the agri- 

 cultural industries of this country. If reasonable pre- 

 cautions are taken the immigrants referred to, even though 

 they bring no new industry, will not become public charges, but 

 will add to the general prosperity of the country. The class 

 objected to, the refuse from other industries, not only adds 

 nothing new but is apt either to lower the standard of the agri- 

 cultural industry or to become a public charge. 



But it is not enough to encourage one class of immigrants 

 and discourage or prohibit others. The immigrants must not 

 only come from rural districts in their mother-country; if they 

 are to succeed, they must be properly located here. Probably 

 the most important single condition is that immigrants should be 

 directed toward and urged to locate where their physical en- 

 vironment will correspond as nearly as may be to that of their 

 mother-country. By that I mean that not only should the 

 climate be nearly the same, but the precipitation, the soils, and 

 the topography should approach that of their former home, if 

 possible. Failure to satisfy these preliminary requirements has 

 resulted in almost complete failure or a long period of suffering, 

 while attention to these factors has produced unpredicted suc- 

 cesses. 



The next consideration of singular importance is that the 

 social environment should be acceptable. If the agricultural 

 operations are not close to a city where others of Ihc same 

 nationality are employed in other industries, it is desirable 



