782 



Agriculture Abroad. 



[Nov. 



(7) Milk tests for checking the yields of cows could be 

 carried out on the spot more easily by the Hoyberg than by 

 the Gerber method, and this, in certain circumstances, would 

 mean a considerable simplification from the point of view of 

 the milk tester. 



(8) If, in regard to accuracy and reliability of results, 

 the Hoyberg method fulfilled reasonable requirements — 

 which the writers state as a result of their investigations 

 they are not in a position to confirm — then it might perhaps 

 replace the Gerber method in localities where it is extremely 

 difficult and, at the same time, causes great loss of time, 

 to collect all milk samples for investigation in a laboratory. 

 The writers sum up as follows: — 



On account of its simplicity Hoyberg 's method might be 

 preferable to Gerber's in certain circumstances. This 

 simplicity, however, gives rise to no saving in time, and on 

 balance, does not outweigh the disadvantage that his process 

 is less reliable. 



At the present time, when the advantage of small holdings 

 is so much discussed, it is instructive to turn to a report on the 

 The Economics of ^^^^^""'^^^ small farms issued by the 



Small Farming United States Department of Agricul- 

 ture.* The Bulletin referred to presents 

 the results of a study of the organisation of small farms in the 

 neighbourhood of Washington, D.C. Information was 

 obtained regarding the important and outstanding agricultural 

 practices followed on 152 small farms, and an analysis was 

 made of the business of each of these farms to ascertain the 

 amount of capital used, the kind and quantity of crops raised, 

 and of live stock kept, and the details of the financial position. 

 Under the last head the investigator examined the nature and 

 volume of receipts, the expenses incurred, the return realised, 

 and other facts bearing on the organisation and operation of 

 the holding. 



The farmers visited were men whose main source of income 

 was obtained from the produce of their farms. Each operator 

 devoted most of his time to labour and supervision. Men who 

 had a regular occupation elsewhere, and whose farming was 

 merely recreative, did not come into the survey, as their work 

 was manifestly not comparable with that of men who gave 



*Bnll. No. 848, United States Dept. of Agriculture. " An Economic Study 

 of Small Farms near Washington. D.C." 



