SIZE OF HOLDINGS 



67 



practically ceased in 1890, but it is extremely 

 difficult to say what has really happened. 

 A comparison of the size-distribution of 

 holdings in 1S51 taken from the Census with 

 that of 190S, as given in the Census of 

 Production, presents the following curious 

 result : — 



Percentage of Total Holdings in Great Britain. 



The two sets of statistics are not properly 

 comparable, because the enumeration in 1851 

 was based on the number of farmers and 

 farms, not of holdings, and several holdings 

 were no doubt included in some farms. This 

 would particularly affect the smaller-sized 

 holdings and reduce their number. Never- 

 theless the figures show certain things. It is 

 evident that by 185 1 quite small holdings 

 had become very few, and that the pre- 

 dominance of the medium-sized farm had 

 been fully established then. This was just 

 anterior to the period — the last one — of 

 marked prosperity for British agriculture ; 

 and the great changes which produced high 

 farming, together with the previous ruinous 



