436 GENERAL CONCLUSIONS 



ing to local requirements, and only to such an 

 extent in each place as will satisfy the purely local 

 demand amongst men who already have the know- 

 ledge necessary for its successful cultivation. Their 

 idea at present is to take such land on lease where 

 this is possible, and only purchase it in those cases 

 where there is no alternative. 



GENERAL CONCLUSIONS. 



It was stated at the outset of this volume that its 

 aim was merely to present existing facts, and not 

 to enter into arguments on the points, both of 

 principle and detail, about which such divers 

 opinions are held. 



The author has endeavoured to keep strictly 

 within these bounds, and has merely indicated in a 

 general way at the end of each chapter what light 

 the particular facts contained in it seem to throw 

 on disputed points ; and should the reader fail to 

 agree with any of the deductions, the bare facts are 

 there on which he can found his own views. 



It might be as well, before closing, to recall 

 briefly what are the main points which these 

 researches seem to emphasize. 



First of all, we have seen that England already 

 possesses what might be called a definite small- 

 holding system of its own, and that, where the 

 laws of supply and demand are allowed free play in 

 land, there is a distinct tendency to the natural 

 occurrence of small holdings under many and 

 various conditions. 



