Page:Indian Journal of Economics Volume 2.djvu/237

 SIZE OF. LAND HOLDINGS These measures were applied in the case .of some lands on the application of the holders, and in the ease of others eompulsorily. It was objected that it was unjust to deprive the other members of the family of their rights in the holdings, and the theoretical "injustice" of the proceeding was admitted; but it was held that these men who were dispossessed of their illusory rights to a share of the produce of unecono- mic holdings would be bet. ter off as free labourera, and that the measure was necessary for the regeneration of agri- cultural practic. e. As a matter of fact agricultnral 'wages in Russia have risen largely since that time, and the condition of the dispossessed sharers has been ixnproved. As a result of these measures it is now reported that () More than three-fourths of the investigated farms have now. land in one contiguous piece, while formerly the great maiority consisted of six or more separate pieces of land, and many of them of 80, 40-or even 100 pieces. (b) Mos of the own farm. (c) More than 40 farmers now live on or per cent near their of the lmasants have now improvements on their carried out marked farm lands. (d) Agricultural implements have been greatly improved in qnality. (e) Agricultural practice has been greatly improved. (f) The harvest gathered in recent years newly settled farms is heavier than on held on the old system. on these farms still the contrary he give the farm have." Bclgi.u. In Belgium the Code Napoleon is in force and its operation has resultel in the creation of many small holdings, but in Flanders, at any rate, the holdings, though small, have no been seriously split up into separate parcels. This danger to a large extent was averted by the sagacity and care of the small land-owners. M. Emile de Lavalaye statesx: "The Flemish peasant attaches too much value to the prolmr outline o! a field. to break it up into pieces; he would rather sell t altogether. .He would never think of dividing the farm he cultivates amongst his children. On will submit to extraordinary sacrifices to the size and typical shape it should I Law] ${;ztz.$ o! Bebyi.$ ${ HoiLm,l, by M. Emile Be Iv,ye (1880).