CHAPTER VII 



SMALL HOLDINGS ASSOCIATIONS OF 

 SPONTANEOUS ORIGIN 



THE three undertakings described in the last 

 chapter have all been initiated through the exer- 

 tions of local men interested in the small holding 

 question, and with some knowledge of local re- 

 quirements. They serve to show what can be 

 done without any outside help, and merely by 

 means of a wise organization. Here this organiza- 

 tion is carried on in rural districts amongst the 

 agricultural class by individuals outside of that 

 class themselves, but conscious of its needs. 



In this chapter I propose to deal with associa- 

 tions which have arisen spontaneously amongst the 

 people themselves who wanted land. I know of 

 no instance of this kind of thing springing up 

 amongst agricultural men ; the instances I am 

 about to deal with occur amongst the artisan class 

 in or near small manufacturing towns, who display, 

 as a rule, more intelligence and energy towards new 

 developments than their rural brethren, and have, 

 moreover, greater facilities in the way of capital 

 to give them a start. 



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