1922.] 



Agricultural Credit in Ontario. 



669 



manner prescribed in the Order. In inflicting a fine of £101 5s. 

 the offender was severely censured by the magistrates who said 

 that the offence might have cost the country an enormous sum 

 of money. 



In view of the urgent necessity for preventing the spreading 

 within this country of Foot-and-Mouth Disease, it is essential 

 that the strictest attention should be paid, by cattle dealers and 

 farmers, to the compliance with the requirements of Orders 

 relating to the movement of cattle. It should be unnecessary 

 to point out that such Orders are designed solely to protect the 

 interests of the cattle industrv. 



tj 



Persons obtaining licences for movement of animals should 

 make themselves thoroughly acquainted with the conditions 

 under which they are issued and the obligations attaching 

 thereto. 



****** 



During the first four months of operation of the Agricultural 

 Development Board* of Ontario, the Province has lent to farmers 



. . 1 « j-4. in lono; term loans $571,570 and in short 



Agricultural Credit 7 Ji , ^ 



in Ontario ^^^^^^ ^^^^^ .1^25,000. The extent of the 

 demand for Government loans is indicated 

 by the fact that 8,000 appKcations have been received. It is 

 stated that the scheme is achieving one of its chief objects in 

 keeping many farmers' sons on the land. The father secures a 

 loan from the Government to buy an adjacent farm for his sons, 

 mortgaging both farms in order to get the loan. The system also 

 enables city men. who have had perhaps somxO fiirm experience 

 in youth, to take up farming. Farmers who have lost their 

 buildings through fire are also aided. 75 per cent, of the appli- 

 cations are for loans for building purposes. In some cases loans 

 are obtained to pay off existing encumbrances, as loan companies 

 demand 1\ per cent, to renew, whereas the Agricultural Board 

 lends the money to the farmers at 6 per cent. 



There is a strict system of local inspection in order to prevent 

 undesirable persons from getting loans. The Board charges $12 

 as inspection fee in granting a loan, and legal fees of $10 on 

 loans up to $2,000 and $20 on loans up to $12,000. The farmer 

 can safely do without a lawyer when deaHng with the Board. 

 Long term loans have been granted to farmers in 32 counties. 



At least a third of the applications have come from northern 

 Ontari o, which is the part of the province not yet fully developed. 



* Cf. Industrial ami Labour Inforinatlon, Vol. T, Xo. 7, p 411. 



