218 SPALDING, LINCOLNSHIRE 



Lincolnshire.' The two classes of Fen soil, the 

 silt and the peat (* black soil '), are admirably 

 adapted to market-gardening and the growing of 

 special crops. 



The larger farmers since the times of depression 

 have turned their attention from ordinary farming 

 to the growing of such crops as early potatoes, 

 celery, peas, broad beans, turnips, and mustard for 

 seed. 



The men cultivating the land nearer the town go 

 in largely for early potatoes, celery, peas, and bulbs 

 (narcissi, daffodils, lilies, and crocuses). 



The conditions are, therefore, particularly suitable 

 for small holdings, and a very great number have 

 developed naturally, of which a large percentage are 

 freeholds. In Mr. Druce's report of 1880 he gives 

 the number of holdings under 50 acres in Lincoln- 

 shire as 20,263 (out of a total of 26,542) a larger 

 number than is found in any other county except 

 the West Riding of Yorkshire and the major part 

 of these are in South Lincolnshire. In addition to 

 this, there has always been a greater demand for 

 allotments than is found in other purely agricultural 

 places. 



The district furnishes a striking example of the 

 value of allotments as the stepping-stone to small 

 holdings. 



MARKETS. 



As South Lincolnshire is entirely agricultural, 

 with no great mining or industrial population, there 



