THE RURAL PROBLEM. 13 



favour, it would also be unwise to neglect that experience. With 

 the exception of Denmark and Ireland, the stability of the small 

 holdings in other countries is usually protected by a system of 

 tariffs, and it should be noticed that both Denmark and Ireland 

 export large quantities of agi'icultural produce. Even since 1890, 

 while English public opinion has been in their favour, some small 

 holdings have disappeared. In spite of a little private and public 

 effort to secure an increase m the number of small holdings, there 

 were some 3,000 less holdings in the group of from five to fifty 

 acres in 1908 than in 1885. In the whole class of small holdings 

 of from one to fifty acres in extent, the increase from 1908 to 1915 

 was only about 2,500, in spite of the creation of over 12,500 hold- 

 ings by public authorities ; and the area under small holdings 

 actually tliminished by 95,000 acres. In 1908 there were 287,176 

 holdings covering an area of 4,368,334 acres, and in 1915 there 

 were 289,689 holdings covering 4,272,582 acres. The conditions 

 on small holdings can be improved, and their stability increased, 

 but they haA'e mherent disabilities which it is almost impossible 

 completely to eradicate. Some other aspects of the smaU hold- 

 ing will be considered in relation to the broader social question. 



Dissatisfaction with the results of the system of medium-sized 

 farms as it exists, and fears of the inadequacy of small holdings as 

 a remedy for the evils existing m the organisation of production, 

 have given rise to suggestions for the organisation of " indus- 

 trialised farms." It is said that '" there are too many farms too 

 large for j)ersons A^•llo are jsrepared to use their hands, and too 

 small for persons prex:)ared to use their brains." The industrial 

 farm would cover a large compact area of land, cultivated on a 

 diversified system suitable to the soil and the market ; it would 

 be equipped with sufficient capital to proAade for machinerj^ and 

 power of proved efficiency ; and would provide scope for the 

 employment of experts in special branches of management. Several 

 economies would be possible on farms of this type. Amongst 

 these are economies of capital and labour. By providing for 

 substitution of manual labour in manj^ processes labour woixld 

 be saved ; and by providing as complete employment as possible 

 for machmery capital would be saved. On the farms of 100 to 

 300 acres as they exist, either machinery is absent or it is not fully 

 employed. Large farms would also lead to economy in land, 

 because thej^ would require less fences. But greater economies 

 could be made m buymg and selling ; and in the sphere of manage- 

 ment.* The " industrialized farm " is not merety an idea, for 

 already a few farms are organised on lines similar to those inchcated, 

 and in many respects the results are more satisfactory' than on 

 the smaller farms. But the question arises : if these farms are 

 desirable, how will the initiative for their organisation be pro- 

 vided ? To this question there is no complete answer. Joint- 



* For a fuller discussion of the " indnstralized farm" see A. D. Hall, 

 'Agriculture after the War,' ch, iv. 



