290 STEPPING-STONES 



ground he takes two large loads of produce to 

 Bournemouth every week. 



A man with only 14 acres was making an entire 

 living on agricultural crops and stock alone. He 

 kept a big head of sheep, which was, of course, 

 only made possible by the right of running them 

 on the common. 



On one holding of the same description a man 

 had brought up four sons, three of whom had 

 worked their way up to large farms, and one suc- 

 ceeded him on the small holding. One of the 

 brothers had taken a farm of 100 acres, where four 

 farmers had failed in succession, and was making it 

 a success. The one large farmer on Mr. Fryer's 

 estate, holding 200 acres, was one of a large family 

 brought up on a small holding. While still a boy 

 working at home he had saved up enough to buy 

 a sheep, which he turned out on the common. 

 Later on he took a field, and was able, in course 

 of time, by gradually adding to his stock, to set 

 himself up, without help, on a farm of 40 acres. 



There are numerous instances of what these men 

 will do for themselves if the chance is given them 

 of getting the land. 



A jobbing labourer took 7 or 8 acres of moor- 

 land and built his own house. Now he has put 

 up four houses, which he lets for a good rent, 

 and is known to have saved a good deal of 

 money. 



Another man in a small way took some land on 

 a fourteen years' lease for brick-making. He has 



