tory conditions in time than the
multitude of small ones beyond the reach of public inspection.

_Trusts._--Of late years the advance of combination in so-called trusts has
been enormous. The underlying principles of economy already illustrated
furnish the occasion for such combinations, but the immediate advantage to
promoters of such enterprises, because of the supposed power in control of
the market, is found in the speculative interest in stocks. In this
respect the multiplication of trusts will furnish the principal weapon
against them. Yet the dangers to the industry of the country, as well as
to the safety of exchanges, from such rapid consolidation of management
are easily perceived. It is certainly necessary that responsibility for
such enterprises be definitely fixed upon the share-holders. And it is
more than probable that government inspection of such business may become
as necessary as it now is of the banking systems of our country. Some
students of the subject foresee a final assumption of absolute control by
the government of all industrial enterprises as a result of this tendency
to aggregation. The question cannot be discussed in this connection, since
it involves a wider range of welfare than can be considered under
production.

_Possible combinations for farming._--It is proper to close this chapter
with suggestions as to the possibility of gaining the advantages of
combination for farming communities without disturbing the present
condition of ownership of land. When our farmers generally shall have
outgrown the disposition to make money by emigration, so that each farming
community is made up of farm homes with a stable population, more intimate
associations for farm operations than now are possible ought to become the
rule. Suggestions have already been made as to the possibilities of
greater division of labor, but other advantages of combination in the way
of labor saving can certainly be secured. More definite business methods
and mutual confidence in a neighborhood of farmers make possible enormous
economies in the way of mutual protection and advantage. The removal of
fences, with possible combination in seeding and tillage, a universal
method of dealing with insects, blights, rusts and similar plant diseases,
the handling of products in company, and above all a perfect sympathy in
all methods of improvement, education and development of enterprise, will
accomplish wonders.

Chapter XV