Online Library of Liberty: Economics, vol. 2: Modern Economic Problems

contract and by his oversight, the operations of the farm. Older men find that letting the farm to a share tenant is easier for them and gives better results than continuing to operate the farm with hired labor. And it evidently gives a man a somewhat higher status to become a tenant than to continue to be a hired laborer. In the South this movement has taken on large proportions in the breaking up of large plantations once operated by the owner with hired labor, and now let in smaller lots to operating tenants. Yet such a change appears, statistically, as a decrease in the proportion of farms operated by owners. Despite these somewhat reassuring facts, the problem of maintaining and increasing operating ownership of farms in America is one deserving of the most earnest thought and effort. The best form of farm tenure is not necessarily that giving the best immediate economic results. Politically in a democratic nation, and sociologically in its effects upon the size of families and the raising of healthy children, the preservation of an independent American yeomanry is of fundamental importance to the nation.

The problem is as difficult as it is important, and becomes more difficult with the rise in the acreage value of lands and with the economical size of farms, both calling for a larger investment to become an owner. Changes in the system of taxation should be made with reference to this object; the system of agricultural credit should be developed and administered to assist; special efforts in agricultural education should be made and active administrative efforts should be directed toward this important end.

References.

Benton, A. H., Farm tenancy and leases. Agricultural Experiment Station Bulletin, No. 178. 1919.

Carver, T. N., Selected readings in rural economics. Bost. Ginn 1916. Mead, E., Helping men own farms. N. Y. Macmillan. 1920.

Nourse, E. G., Agricultural economics. Chicago University Press. 1916. (A large volume of readings, well selected and edited.)

Phelan, J., Readings in rural sociology. New York. Macmillan. 1920. Taylor, H. C., Agricultural economics. Pp. 439. N. Y. Macmillan. 1919. Vogt, P. L., Introduction to rural sociology. Pp. 443. N. Y. Appleton. 1917.

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