four $5,000 but less than $10,000, of seven $10,000 but less than $25,000, of one $30,000. (General Table 255.) As the live stock was generally limited to a few work animals, one or two cows, and a few chickens, and the implements used were simple and inexpensive, property other than real estate had little value. In only 8 of the 20 cases did its value equal or exceed $500, and in only 2 did it amount to as much as $1,000.

SETTLEMENT AND PROGRESS OF THE SCANDINAVIAN FARMERS.

The position occupied by the Scandinavians has been gained after comparatively long residence in the United States. Of the twenty, four had immigrated before 1870, two in 1870 and 1871, respectively; nine between 1881 and 1888, and five between 1890 and 1896. Hence all had been in the United States more than ten years, all but two more than fifteen years, and all but five from twenty to forty-three years. All but five came when under 25, and nine of the twenty when under 20 years of age. (General Tables 255, 260, and 263.) With only three exceptions, they brought less than $100 with them, and none brought as much as $1,000. Before coming to the United States one had been a farmer, but all of the others had been assisting on their fathers' farms, employed as farm hands, or laborers in city occupations, or had not been gainfully occupied. They were drawn from the classes with little property, and approximately three-fourths of them from the agricultural class. Upon their arrival in this country one became a farmer, his son working with him, while thirteen of the remaining seventeen became farm hands. The others became wage-earners in various unskilled occupations. (General Table 256.)

Beginning thus, about one-half of the farmers investigated had established themselves as farmers within five or six years, but in two exceptional cases they continued to work for wages for twenty-one years. Immediately before coming to the locality where they now reside, five were engaged in farming, while one was in business. Upon coming to the locality, those reporting data had savings amounting to from $200 to $4,000 each. Thirteen began to farm at once, while seven worked for wages for a time. Fifteen of the entire number purchased farms at once, while three of those who first rented the land they tilled have subsequently become landowners. (General Table 255.)

The first purchases of the eighteen who now own their farms aggregated only 268.25 acres, and only 65.75, or, roughly, one-fourth, of this area had been improved and was ready for use at the time it was purchased. All but the more recent purchases were "raw land,” which has been developed into orchards and otherwise improved. The average price paid per acre was $204.94. (General Table 257.) By subsequent purchases this acreage owned has been increased to 407.47, all of which is improved, and, with the improvements, is valued at $423.71 per acre, as against the $284.22 paid for it.

The data just presented show, in a way, the financial success of the farmers investigated. Of eighteen reporting complete data, sixteen have more property than when they came to the localities in which they reside their net gains being the difference between the

$19,900 brought with them and the $145,688 they now own. Two, including one tenant farmer who had been in the community only two years, on the other hand, have less than they brought with them. On the whole, as shown by General Table 255, the great majority have been moderately successful, and a few who purchased land when it was cheap and have profited by the increased values due to the progress of the community have been strikingly successful in the accumulation of wealth. At the time of the investigation, one land-owning and two tenant farmers estimated the value of their property, indebtedness deducted, at less than $1,000. Of the others, one was worth $2,100; four, $2,500 but less than $5,000; five, $5,000 but less than $10,000; six, $10,000 but less than $25,000; and one, $31,175.

SOCIOLOGICAL DATA.

The families of some of these Scandinavian farmers occupy wellbuilt, modern cottages of 5, 6, or 7 rooms, while others occupy small cottages of 2 or 3 rooms in bad condition. The same differences are found in the furnishings, but the housekeeping is almost uniformly good. On the whole the housing and the standard of living of the Scandinavians compare favorably with that of the farmers of other races, and are superior to those of the more thrifty and equally well-off Italians.

These Scandinavian farmers, with one exception, came to the United States to find new homes, with the result that the majority have become citizens and take the usual amount of interest in political affairs. Of 10 who were 21 years of age or over at the time of immigrating, only 1, who expects to return to his native land, is an alien, 3 have first papers only, while 6 have secured their second papers. The remaining 10, who immigrated when under 21 years of age, have all become citizens.

There were 87 members of the households of the farmers investigated. Of these, 37 were foreign, 50 native-born. All of the foreignborn and all of the native-born 10 years of age or over were literate. Moreover, all of the Scandinavians could speak and read, while all but 4 could write, English. (General Tables 264 to 270.) Most of the foreign-born women had been assisted in acquiring a knowledge of English while employed as domestic servants, and more than three-fourths of those who had immigrated when single had been thus employed. English is usually spoken in the home, so that none of the 50 native-born can speak any Scandinavian language. The children are given good education in the public schools, as is evidenced by the fact that all but one 6 and under 16 years of age were attending school. (General Table 271.)

Closely related to knowledge of English is the character of the newspapers and periodicals subscribed for. Of 20 households, all but one subscribed for one or more newspapers. Twelve of these had newspapers printed in English alone, while 7 also subscribed for publications printed in their native languages in the localities in which they had formerly lived, or in San Francisco. Among the publications thus subscribed for were a few of the best-known monthly magazines.

That few Scandinavian farmers are members of Scandinavian societies is indicated by the fact that only 1 of the 20 was a member of such an organization. On the other hand, no fewer than 11 were members of various American orders, the Odd Fellows, Modern Woodmen, having 7 and 4 members, respectively, others having 1 or 2 members each among the 21 men.

Of the 20 immigrants, 1 was married before coming to the United States and 4 are single or widowed, while the remaining 15 have married since arriving in this country. Of these 15, 9 married women of their own race, 2 married women of other Scandinavian races, while 3 married native women of native father and 1 a German. All but 5 were married within ten years of their arrival, so that comparatively few would be expected to marry women of other races. In the families investigated, 10 Scandinavian-Americans had married. Three males had all married Danish immigrant women, while 7 females had all married Americans. Thus a tendency toward race intermixture is evident in the first generation of the American-born.

It is evident that these immigrants are thoroughly assimilated. Their occupations and life among people of other races as well as their immigration many years ago have made their thorough assimilation possible.

CHAPTER XII.

SCANDINAVIAN FARMERS OF SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY,

CALIFORNIA.

[For General Tables see pp. 874 to 883.]

INTRODUCTION.

The farmers of San Luis Obispo County are engaged chiefly in general farming and stock raising. Between twenty and thirty years ago, however, much land was sold to persons residing in the Eastern States who expected to engage in fruit growing, and especially in the production of prunes, which in other counties of the State were then yielding large profits. Among the families induced to move west, and chiefly from Minnesota and the Dakotas, were a comparatively large number of Swedes and Danes. One group of Danes settled about Union, two groups of Swedes about Templeton and Linne.

These families set out orchards, but soon it was found that the climate and soil were not adapted to fruit growing and that irrigation was impossible. Some of the families moved elsewhere in search of land better suited to the kind of farming they wished to engage in, others sold their land and engaged in business, while some dug up their orchards and engaged in general farming. In general farming and stock raising they have been fairly successful, with the result that other Scandinavians coming from Eastern States in search of a less rigorous climate or for the sake of mere change of location, and from the cities of California, have settled in these communities. Yet the farms have increased in size sufficiently to admit of general farming and stock raising with profit, and the number of families is not so great as formerly. About Templeton there are 40 Swedish families as against some 60 fifteen years ago. About Linne there are 12 Swedish and 1 Norwegian family as against a larger number formerly located there. Likewise about Union there are some 15 Danish farmers, whereas ten years ago the number was twice as large.

The Scandinavian farmers about Templeton, Linne, and Union were investigated by an agent of the Commission in the autumn of 1908. As already indicated, they engage in general farming. Wheat, barley, and hay are the important crops produced. The hay is usually fed to live stock, while the wheat and a large part of the barley is sold to local mills or shipped to distant places. Though these families are more or less colonized in the sense that they own or lease most of the land in the neighborhoods in which they live, their agricultural activities do not differ from those of the other farmers of the same localities.