26 BULLETIN 633, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 
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. 
