_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.
