408 SIZE OF HOLDING 



can work with his family. Many of the men have 

 as much as this by having several plots in different 

 parts, either on Parish Council land or some of it 

 held independently. The larger number, however, 

 have only about half this amount, and are therefore 

 not able to work what they have as economically 

 as if they had the full area, which would fill up 

 their time and make the keeping of a horse worth 

 while. They supplement their holdings by buying 

 up fields of produce off the larger farmers for 

 retailing in Birmingham, and by hauling manure 

 for others. Many of the farmers round now rely 

 on these small men to dispose of fields of potatoes, 

 carrots, roots, etc., to whom they sell them as a 

 standing crop. 



Strawberries seem to be the main crop which is 

 relied on for bringing in cash. As much as 100 

 has been cleared off 2 acres under this cultivation 

 after all expenses ha.ve been paid. The plants are 

 left down as a rule for four years. 



Two farmhouses have been let, with 13 J and 

 14|- acres of land respectively. 



On one, where the land is grass, with 2j acres 

 of arable, the present holder is also a small cattle- 

 dealer. On the other the first tenant under the 

 Parish Council had most of the land under straw- 

 berries, and did well enough in a short time to be 

 able to move on to a larger farm in the district, of 

 200 rental. 



Out of the seventy-five tenants, twenty-seven are 

 dependent on their holdings for a living ; they 

 are all in want of 2 or 3 more acres each to 

 work their holdings economically and to the best 



