TYPICAL HOLDINGS 65 



had a general air of prosperity. The whole family 

 were always very hard at work, the women playing 

 as important a part as the men in picking and tying 

 and doing the lighter parts of the work. This man 

 was a type of one who had worked his way up to a 

 secure position. 



As an example of one who was at the beginning 

 stage, another holder visited had been in domestic 

 service for twelve years. He was a native of the 

 district, and had always been used to garden work. 

 He had had 3 acres for two years, and was just 

 getting it straight ; he was still working for wages 

 as a gardener, and would have to do so until his 

 trees came into bearing, when a good fruit year 

 might set him on his legs. He had planted 200 

 plums and apples (at 6d. a piece) 9 feet apart in 

 the row ; between them were currants and goose- 

 berries. He had besides on his lot beds of 

 asparagus, onions, peas, beans, parsley, strawberries, 

 wall-flowers, forget-me-nots, and radishes. He 

 hoped to get another plot of land when this one 

 was in working order, as he did not consider 3 acres 

 would be enough for a living. He had three brothers 

 with market-gardens close to, and by helping each 

 other at busy times they were able to manage their 

 holdings without employing other labour. 



Prices of Produce. 



It is, of course, impossible to give any exact 

 figures as to the possible returns per acre. I was 

 told by a man whose father had kept figures for 



