20 The Floiinwi of the Agricidtnral Ijahonrei'. 



centred round their various clubs, and it is noteworthy that 

 the birth and development of these institutions have been due 

 to the associative instinct of the labourers, the artisans, and the 

 small Tniddlemen. For a large part of the nineteenth century 

 the farmers were too prosperous to feel the need of collective 

 action, and the economic benefits offered by the usual village 

 associations were not of the kind to attract them, so that they 

 only appeared in connection with these societies as honorary 

 members, or friends. Harder times have once more reminded 

 them of the economy of mutual action for protection and 

 advancement, and such organisations as the National Farmers' 

 Union, with its county and village branches, and the various 

 farmers' co-operative societies, are the outcome of it. Biat for 

 a century or more it was the humble inhabitants of the villages 

 who carried on the traditions of associated life in rural 

 England. 



The Orchard, 

 Tysoe, 



Warwick. 



Arthur W. Ashby. 



THE HOUSING OF THE AGRICULTURAL 

 LABOURER. 



The special requirements of the householder must always be 

 the governing factoi- in the planning of a dwelling house, 

 though the actual design will be influenced by many other 

 considerations. The necessity of providing for sound and 

 hygienic construction, and seemly and attractive elevations, 

 within the prescribed limits of cost ; the nature of the available 

 building materials and labour, and any restrictions that may be 

 imposed by the particular conditions of the site, have all to be 

 taken into account : and the aim of the architect must be to 

 plan a home as comfortable as may be within these limits. 



It will perhaps be admitted that the requirements of most 

 classes of householders are well known and fairly well met as 

 a rule ; but in the case of cottages for rural labourers it is open 

 to question if architects, either from lack of adequate know^- 

 ledge of rural conditions, or from a misdirected zeal to reform 

 the labourer's mode of living, do not commonly reverse the 

 usual procedure, and instead of designing cottages to meet the 

 householder's peculiar needs, require him to adapt his needs to 

 a particular type of plan. 



Though much attention has been given to the " cottage 

 problem " of late years, it has been considered for the most 

 part in its sociological, economic, or aesthetic aspects, and few 



