132 THE MINSTER LOVELL ESTATE 



One man who started on one of these allotments 

 is on a 1,000-acre farm. He made his way by 

 dealing very largely in potatoes. This farm had 

 got into a very bad state and was let at 5s. an acre, 

 which fact, no doubt, enabled him to take it in 

 the first instance. It is said the potatoes he grew 

 on it alone paid the rent. 



Another man, starting as a labourer, has now 

 purchased five lots. He had worked his way up, 

 after getting on to one lot, by keeping a horse and 

 ploughing, etc., for others. 



The Rev. H. C. Ripley, whose parish comprised 

 both this estate and the village of Minster Lovell, 

 testifies to the very marked effect the presence of 

 the small holdings has on the character of the 

 people in the way of encouraging industry and 

 thrift. 'There is no comparison,' he says in his 

 evidence, ' between the sobriety of the small-hold- 

 ing estate and that of the village. The fact is, the 

 small holders want all their money to put into the 

 concern ; they know that every pound they put in 

 will turn another pound. They want it for manure ; 

 they want it to put into stock. . . .' 



At the time he gave evidence only two in- 

 habitants were receiving parish relief one an aged 

 widow and one a girl. 



THE DODFORD ESTATE. 



Great Dodford is situated three miles from 

 Bromsgrove, in Worcestershire, and about fourteen 

 miles from Birmingham. 



