26 BULLETIX 633,, U. S. DEPAETIMEXT OF AGBICULITJBE. 



have remained tenants are making incomes averaging $1,442. Be- 

 yond this point the desire for economic independence and other ad- 

 vantages that accrue from the ownership of land becomes so strong 

 that every farmer is an owner. It will be noticed that among the 

 farms included in this study just as soon as the average income rises 

 to a point which represents a satisfactory standard of living from 

 owner operation tenantry ceases. 



Another factor is involved here. The two farmers in the fourth 

 group who remained tenants are operating farms averaging 317 

 acres in size. These farms are almost too large for the managerial 

 ability of the average man. Hence the man on these farms who has 

 more than $4,000 worth of capital finds it difficult to utilize all his 

 capital as a tenant and very naturally invests it in land. The lesson 

 is clear, however, for the young man with a small capital. For a few 

 years at least it will be distinctly to his financial advantage to rent 

 a good farm as large as his capital will permit. When he has saved 

 enough to make a first payment on a farm large enough to permit a 

 good standard- of living, he then may well contemplate becoming 

 an owner, and it is desirable from the standpoint of the public wel- 

 fare that he do so. 



