50 ROCK AND FAR FOREST 



Disposal of Produce. 



Kidderminster, seven miles away, is the principal 

 weekly market. Produce, such as butter and 

 poultry and eggs, is very largely collected by 

 local dealers and higglers to be disposed of here. 

 Many of the people possess a pony and cart, and 

 go in with their own and their neighbours' produce. 



During the cherry season a market, attended by 

 wholesale dealers, is held every night at Bewdley ; 

 but a large amount of fruit is sold at Kidder- 

 minster, or sent on commission to salesmen at 

 Birmingham and other large towns. 



Demand for Small Holdings. 



As an illustration of the very great demand that 

 there is, I was shown one little place of 13 acres, 

 of very poor land and with no fruit, which was 

 rented at 35. There were thirty applications for 

 this farm when it was last vacant, and the success- 

 ful applicant had to pay a lump sum to get in 

 at all. 



Another place of 22 acres has recently become 

 vacant owing to the death of the tenant, and has 

 also changed owners. The original rent was 25. 

 Four acres of very poor land have been added, 

 and the buildings are to be repaired. The rent 

 is raised to 45, but, nevertheless, there have been 

 over fifty applicants. 



A holding of 11 acres was let until three years 

 ago at 15. It was sold by auction, and the new 



