RURAL PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT 



35 



These figures correspond with rough estimates made in regard 

 to earnings in Canada, and are probably reliable as approximate 

 estimates for one year. But it has to be remembered that the far- 

 mer's earnings vary as the seasons vary; also that the unknown fac- 

 tors, including the value of farm products used in the farmer's home, 

 would make a considerable addition to the income, when compari- 

 sons are made with those who pay town prices for food and high 

 rents for their dwellings. In any case the general conclusion which 

 may be arrived at in regard to this matter is that the opportunities 

 of the farmer to accumulate wealth are too few, otherwise more men 

 of ability would be attracted to the industry of agriculture. What- 

 ever we can do by improved methods and organization to increase 

 farm earnings without adding to the cost of the products to the con- 

 sumer needs to be done in the national interest. Considering the 

 small margin available in the farmer's total income to pay interest on 

 loans, and to meet freight charges on small shipments of produce, 

 it is evidently important that he should have facilities for obtaining 

 cheap capital and improved means of distribution. 



Rural Production 



In the 1911 Census the following figures are given, showing the 

 capital, earnings and products of manufacturing industries in the 

 urban and rural districts of Canada for 1910 and 1900: — 



We have also seen that the total value of cereals produced in 1911 

 amounted to $597,926,000. In addition there is the stock on agricul- 

 tural holdings of Canada of a total value of $615,457,883 — a large 

 portion of which value is converted into cash each year and forms a 

 product from the farm. 



We thus see the relatively great importance of production in 

 rural areas and have an indication of close connection between that 

 production and manufacturing in the urban centres. In the United 

 States, 42 per cent of the materials used in manufacture arc said to 

 come from the farm, which also contributes 70 per cent of the coun- 

 try's exports. The fact that during the year 1911, Canada 

 imported $72,315,243 in value of agricultural produce and fish is 



