Change in Unit 97 



The most striking point in these statistics is perhaps the decrease 

 in the number of large and very large holdings between 1885 and 

 1895. This is the more significant as the largest holdings (500 acres 

 and over) had still been increasing between 1880 and 1885. The 

 holdings of 300 500 acres, on the other hand, show a decrease from 

 1880 onwards. The medium-sized holdings (100 300 acres) show 

 an increase from 1880 : and the small holdings proper (50 100 and 

 20 50) show a steady and considerable increase throughout the 

 period. It is noticeable, however, that holdings of I 5 acres show a 

 decrease in 1895 as compared with five years earlier, while the next 

 group does not exhibit any steady development at all. 



In considering the more recent statistics it is evident at once that 

 the classification has unfortunately been altered. Only four groups 

 are distinguished. The number of holdings was 1 : 



not over 5 acres not over 50 acres not over 300 acres over 300 acres 

 1895 87,055 170,591 106,955 I5578 



1905 8l,232 166,622 109,498 I4,79 2 



1909 80,195 l65,66l 109,768 14,642 



These figures certainly show that large holdings have considerably 

 decreased and medium holdings very considerably increased within 

 the past fifteen years. But they also show, what is at first sight 

 surprising, that holdings of i 50 acres have not only failed to 

 increase, but have actually decreased in the period in question. This 

 statistical result might seem to point to the conclusion that the 

 movement in favour of small holdings had experienced a set-back 

 after 1895. But such a conclusion is not warranted by the facts. 



The main factor in determining the number of small holdings is 

 no doubt the increase or decrease caused by the cutting up or 

 throwing together of farms on grounds of agricultural economy. 

 But another, and not inconsiderable, influence is the amount of 

 agricultural land annually absorbed by the spread of the towns or 

 manufacturing districts, which are continually penetrating further 



acre precisely, which for that year was 14,373. The alteration made in 1895 in the method 

 of classifying these holdings of i 5 acres would have made a comparison with the figures of 

 former years impossible, if the supplementary figures had not been specially obtained. I am 

 greatly indebted to Mr Henry Rew, of the Board of Agriculture, for supplying me with 

 them. 



1 Agricultural Statistics, 1909, Pt. I, pp. 70 f. 



