SIZE OF HOLDINGS 21 



SIZE OF HOLDINGS. 



Ten acres was given as the smallest area on which 

 a man could bring up a family. 



The following figures were given me by a small 

 holder of long experience as a rough estimate of 

 possible profits on 10 acres : 



Expenditure. 







Rent and taxes ... 22 



Horse work 8 



Income. 







Two acres potatoes ... 35 

 Two acres wheat 16 



Two acres barley ... 15 j Manure... ... ... 18 



One acre mangolds ... 10 Profit ... ... ... 64 



Two acres carrots ... 30 



One acre clover or grass 6 



112 



The size of the holding appeared to be a matter 

 of importance. Suitable sizes seemed to fall 

 naturally into three classes. 



1. For a labourer in regular employment 2 acres 

 was a sufficient acreage. On this he could grow 

 wheat, barley and potatoes sufficient to fatten pigs 

 for home consumption, and for supplying manure. 

 More land would be a disadvantage to him. 

 Rent and hire for horse labour would cost him 

 about 8. 



2. For a man who had saved a little money at 

 farm service, 5 to 10 acres, which would enable him 

 to keep a horse and do job work for others. 



3. For an entire living, from 10 to 20 acres ; but it 

 would be unwise for a man who was single-handed 

 i.e., with a family too young to work to have more 



