92 Bad Times and Recovery 



and Government grants. There are now schools of agriculture 

 at Cambridge and Oxford, and in connexion with other univer- 

 sities in England and Scotland, and under the co-ordinating 

 agency of the Development Commission every branch of agri- 

 cultural research and teaching receives a measure of financial 

 support from the Government. 



The invention and improvement of agricultural machinery and 

 implements have passed rather more into the hands of specialists. 

 Steam and internal-combustion engines drive every kind of 

 machinery and drag most kinds of implements on farms where 

 there is scope for them. There has been a rapid development in 

 the use of these since 1914. All these movements had an influence 

 on production. The average yield of wheat in 1770 was 23 bushels 

 per acre ; in 1880 it was 28 bushel ; it is now about 30. 



In the midst of this progress the demands of the landless 

 people made themselves heard. The National Agricultural 

 Labourers' Union had made it one of their objects to secure 

 allotments and small holdings for their members. Mr. Joseph 

 Chamberlain and Mr. Jesse Collings were associated with this 

 movement. In whatever form it expressed itself, it was clear 

 that the desire to possess and cultivate land for themselves had 

 never forsaken the agricultural labourers and others who had 

 found employment in various industries. Some holdings had 

 become very large during the bad times, partly because men were 

 not then keen to take farms. The land was often badly cultivated. 

 Men who wished to become small farmers believed they could 

 do better for themselves and for the land if they were given 

 a few acres. In 1908 an Act was passed giving County Councils 

 authority to buy and lease land and let it out in holdings up to 

 fifty acres in extent. Under this scheme small holdings have 

 been created in considerable numbers in some counties, and, 

 where they have been chosen with judgement, the majority of 

 occupiers have succeeded. 



