191 1.] Small Holdings in Denmark. 563 



CREATION OF SMALL HOLDINGS FOR 

 AGRICULTURAL LABOURERS IN DENMARK. 



Dr. R. Raeder. 



Much attention has for a long time been given to small 

 holdings in Denmark. The agricultural committees — on 

 which small holders are often in a majority — have for many 

 years awarded prizes and premiums, travelling scholarships, 

 &c., to small holders out of their own funds and out of the 

 sum voted annually by the Danish Parliament (,£5,000). 

 In addition, the Danish Budget annually provides ,£1,600 for 

 literature, assistance to small holders, travelling expenses, 

 horticulture, &c. ; ,£4,000 for agricultural education, and some 

 other items, making a total amount of ;£i 1,100. 



Loans to Societies for the Formation of Small Holdings. — 

 The State contributes directly to the formation of small 

 holdings by allotting Annually a sum of ,£11,100 for loans 

 to societies having as their object the purchase and division 

 of large holdings and their sale in small lots. The loans are 

 determined by the Minister of Finance, and must not exceed 

 the capital, in ready money, with which the society operates. 

 The debt is not repayable for five years, but on the sale of 

 a holding the Minister of Finance immediately determines 

 the instalment repayable. Interest is charged on the loan 

 at the rate of 3 per cent, per annum. No repayment is made 

 during the first five years, except where holdings are sold. 

 After this interest and instalments are paid by a charge of 



4 per cent. Interest is only payable on the amount of the 

 debt remaining undischarged ; the remainder of the payment 

 of 4 per cent, on the original loan, goes towards the repay- 

 ment of capital. The dividends of the societies are limited to 



5 per cent, on their capital, any surplus profits being employed 

 for the benefit of the small holders. 



Purchase of Small Holdings by means of State Loans. — 

 In Denmark the law provides for assistance from the public 

 treasury being given to agricultural labourers for the creation 

 of small holdings. Among those who may also avail them- 

 selves of this assistance are unmarried women working for 

 wages, persons cultivating small farms, rural artisans, brick- 



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