Hulan River Basin Farm Economy (1872-1938)

There is a lot of research about small-scale peasant economy in academia, with the emergence of many quite influential monographs and theses, most of which, however, lay particular emphasis on inside Shanhaiguan area. As to the agricultural economy of the Northeast, although it occupies important position in modern agriculture of China, there is only a little research, mostly overweighing provincialism and summarizing developing history as well. Demonstrative and case study of small-scale peasant economy is more rare. On the basis of drawing lessons from and consulting existing achievements in economic research of peasant family, this article takes relevant theories and methods, such as statistics, anthropology, economics, ecology, geography, etc. By consulting a large amount of firsthand information, especially the survey of the Manchurian Railway, I carry on deep analysis and studies from all angles about the modern small-scale peasant economy at the Hulan river valley, in order to acquire an accurate understanding to the development of small-scale peasant economy there. This article proceeds with microeconomic analysis of peasant family, and proves the advantages of the managing type farm of this period as well as the vigorous growing of it from various perspectives. This article is made up of three parts: First, introduces the current research of the present agronomy history and main views. And then briefs the nature and value of the primary references of this article, namely the survey of Manchurian Railway. Secondly, takes an overview of agricultural development and relations of production and productivity at the Hulan river valley since Qing Dynasty. Thirdly, analyses from all angles the advantageous position of managing type farm in comparison with the lease farm and family farm, in terms of the workforce, animal power, land yields, and utilization of farm implements. The superiority of the managing type farm means that there is a bigger development space in the managing type farm and a broader prospect will appear in the agriculture of the Hulan. River valley. However, with the invasion of Japanese imperialists, the agricultural development of the Hulan River valley suffered a serious destruction, and prosperous agriculture at this area withered. In the end, analyses the modern economic development of peasant family at the Hulan River valley synthetically with conclusion part.