$100 to $250. Frequently the tenant erects the cheap structure himself, the lease providing that he may remove it when the time expires. In most cases the Japanese farmers are "squatting" upon the land for a time, until its sale or possibly the rotation of crops will make it necessary for him to vacate.

Typical Cases about Gardena. Thus if one goes south from Los Angeles he comes to a 600acre ranch until recently used for pasture, the production of hay, and the growing of eucalyptus trees. A considerable part of this has been leased to Japanese whose houses have been erected in two groups. Trees have been removed and the cleared land and the hay fields and pastures divided into small tracts for the production of berries and vegetables. The tenants pay for the water used and $25 per acre as rent. The contrast between the old and the new is shown in the accompanying photographs (numbered "18" and "19"). Across the highway a part of another tract is leased to several parties growing the same crops and flowers. Near Gardena the same condition may be observed on a number of what were once large farms devoted to extensive agriculture (as in number," 20"). There the photograph showing the old and the new was taken (number "21"). Still farther on is a ranch of several thousand acres some six hundred of which are now leased in small tracts for periods of from three to five years. The tenant houses, like the one here reproduced (number "22"), are arranged in six groups. Most of the small plots are devoted to growing strawberries. The rent

18. A JAPANESE SETTLEMENT ON A 500-ACRE RANCH.

UNI

21.

runs from $20 to $25 and the tenant pays so much. per hour for the water required for irrigating. The greater part of the large ranch is still used for producing hay. The contrast between the hay land and the strawberry patches is seen in photographs "23" and " 24.

East of Los Angeles. - East of Los Angeles the situation is not very different in certain communities. In one typical case some eight miles from the center of the city I observed a ranch of 185 acres which had been leased for a period of three years to thirteen families for growing strawberries, bush berries, and vegetables. These tenants had agreed to pay $25 per acre as rent and the actual cost of the water was to be divided pro rata among them. The rent proved to be exorbitant, however, and upon the intervention of a Japanese business man, had been reduced to $20 or $22.50 per acre per year. The houses of the usual character had been erected in a group facing a lateral road running back from the main highway.1

1 The numerous subdivision of farms for the purpose of intensive cultivation explains the fact that the average of Japanese holdings is only a little over 16 acres. The distribution of the 794 holdings in 1912, according to Mr. Naka, was as follows:

The Significant Things in the Situation. This describes the situation as far as most of the Japanese farming in Los Angeles county is concerned. Rude shelter, high rents made possible by efficiency in growing crops which make little appeal to white farmers, and limited tenure are characteristic. From the point of view of the Japanese it marks an advance over working for wages, for they have a chance to get what they produce, and have a place in which to live with their families for a period of years. From the point of view of the speculative landholder his land yields a larger income which pays taxes and adds to the increment of capital value taken on as Los Angeles continues her rapid growth. From the point of view of the community it has not meant any great material improvement. The land has been temporarily exploited and then has been or is to be surrendered without any particular improvement. It has meant some displacement of other growers, but chiefly a more abundant supply of berries, vegetables, and flowers to be had at low prices. For the prices are relatively low. Frequently the growing of strawberries has been "overdone" and there has at times been complaint on the part of growers other than the Japanese that the prices of vegetables were not remunerative. In some cases the market has been so poor that Japanese tenants have lost money, and occasionally when they have not made their rent, they have "broken" their contracts. There is reason to believe, however, that in some cases the difficulties of the Japanese have