“In most localities the Japanese are the most recent race to
engage in farming on their own account, so that there is a strik-
ing contrast between them and the other farmers in the West—
in wealth as well as in the form of tenure and permanency of
their relations in the community. While many of the Japanese
farmers have accumulated considerable property and have become
fairly independent in the conduct of their holdings, the largest
number have little property and many of them have a form
of tenure which limits their freedom in production. More-
over, because of the circumstances under which they have engaged
in farming, an unusually large number of the Japanese have
failed. Yet it must be held in mind that most of them have
begun to farm much more recently than the farmers of other
races. The wealth accumulated by a small minority ina few
years has induced many to undertake farming on their own
account.” *

Effects of Japanese farming are discussed by Professor
Millis in the following words: “In those localities in which
Japanese have settled in any considerable number, land values
have been increased chiefly because of the higher rental values of
farms. It is asserted, however, that when the Japanese come in,
others move out and their farms depreciate in value. There seems
as yet, however, to be little basis in fact for such assertions. It is
true that many families in some communities regard residence
‘there as less desirable when any foreign race, and especially an
Asiatic, immigrates, and some have moved elsewhere. This
‘movement has been to the cities, however, and how much of it
has been due to other causes, it is impossible to say. It is likely,
however, that most of the changes of residence have been for
reasons explaining why some families move away from other
communities. Of more importance than the movement away
from these communities because of any feeling that they are no
‘onger desirable, is the fact that the convenience and profit con-
rected with leasing has permitted land-owners to live “in town”
or in cities where there are better opportunities, especially for
chooling children and for social life. Undoubtedly a premium

   
   
   
   
 

 

1 Immigration Commission, Reports, vol. 23, p. 89.
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