New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-07-22

Mr.. Dunning goes to say that the larger
part Of the immigrants from the Mediterranean
ports come TO the United States. though the
Argentine Republic is the magnet for a fair
number. But il is from this country, he says,
that the greatest number Of Italians go home
10 live out their days. 1t has been figured that
while $1,000 have returned from the United
States. only $4,000 have come back from South
ern cmes.
Each year at various seasons, says Mr.. Dun
ming, when the harvesting of crops creates
demand. from $4,000 10 100000 Italians MI
CRATE to other European countries 10 work
at day wages as tillers of the soil. His report
goes 10 say:
Reckoning fifty working days for each individual
In this great wandering army, there are made
available $4,000 working days, at an average
wage a head of q cents a day a total income
for all engaged of 81, $50 600 annually. It Is calcu-
lated that about 10000 skilled farmers leave Italy
temporarily every year for Central Europe; that
they get average a head of 120 working days. or
% 10000 days as whole, and that they earn an
average OF 70 a day a head SIS 600 600 IN all
When the small rate OF wages earned these mi
Eratory movements IS considered, the case seems
fairly indicative OF willing attitude toward emf
grafton on the part Of a reasonably large number
OF people and especially among the farming class
Carrying bhis argument into Lombardy, which is
the heart of the whole Italian commonwealth,
find "A situation peculiarly open 10 the call for
farmers open up new lands cultivate the old
in the consular district of Milan there is popua-
tion OF 81 souls. about one million of whom
in Milan and its immediate vicinity while the
balance is distributed through the provinces OF
Como, PaYia Sondrio, PiacenZa. Parma. Brescia,
Mantua and Cremona.
It IS a mixed manufacturing and agricultural
population outside OF the city OF Milan and its i'm
mediate dependencies and suburbs 1t is thicky
settled with families Of eager. Industrious. peacea
BE, ambitious and thrifty farmers. The great
tropoEs, with al its intense activity and its
derful almost headlong, growth, has not been able
to break down the splendid agricultural interests OF
this region. Though the city grows at the rate Of
from 1000 TO 1900 souls year. the country main
tains its reputation Of the garden spots Of
the earth.
Mr.. Dunning remarks that only a few years
ago about 30 per cent Of the total population Of
Italy could not read. In Lombardy to-day, he
says. the literacy is more than 90 per cent Of
the total population OF sufficient age. His re-
port continues:
In 1905 the total amount Of deposits in the banks
was S95.ss7499. This, divided among population Of
3s68s7 souls shows 81 IS capita, which is the
best evidence Of the prosperity Of the people.
Out Of this population Of 3s6s,ST. not less
than 1,0-5 600 engaged in agriculture. Gnfants
are necessarily included in these hguresD rms
number however, does not include the large num-
Der employed in the raising and care Of silkworms
and cocOons which in the district now under con-
siGeraton may probably be estimated at 10000 per-
sons, men, women and children. In the whole Of
Lombardy there evidently about 1000 full
grown and abIebodied men engaged in agricultural
pursuits to be drawn on for emigration purposes
There is nearly equal number of women. who
must be considered in any study Of agricultural
conditions IL LOmbardy, because they fully as
capable in the field the are and constitute
the most excellent material for use in the United
States The average Lombard farmers wife very
nearly equals his own work in the fields, while
carrying on the household duties as well.
There are two classes Of farm workers mat
ter al couTse-the day laborers. male and female
and the operating farmers. A search Of sundry
government reports covering the condition OF the
former class discloses the following average wage
scale only in Lombardy but in other parts OF
tbs kingdom IN 1905
A$srsFe day farm laborers. 1905 stated