286 SMALL HOLDINGS SYNDICATES 



There is evidence here of keen appreciation of the 

 advantages offered ; but these vast fenlands of South 

 Lincolnshire, stretching for miles in every direction, 

 would support a far larger number of people, and it 

 would be a great boon to a considerable proportion of 

 the small holders if they could be provided with modest 

 dwellings on the land they cultivate. At one frontage 

 of the Willow Tree Farm I saw half a dozen cottages in 

 course of erection by Lord Carrington ; but there is 

 plenty of room on Cowbit House Farm for others, and 

 until these have been provided there will still be some- 

 thing wanting to complete the scheme and for visitors 

 to criticise. 



Many of the holdings are only modest allotments, not 

 intended to do more than fill up the time of * sons of 

 the soil ' working for neighbouring farmers, and to serve 

 as first steps to farms of their own. But others there 

 are which claim the full energies of their holders, some 

 of whom are achieving distinct success. Experience 

 shows that, as a rule, from 50 to 60 per cent, of the 

 small holders thrive and do either fairly well or very 

 well, from 20 to 30 per cent, neither advance nor 

 recede, and from 5 to 10 per cent, are total failures. 

 Much, of course, depends on the men themselves ; but, 

 as showing the possibilities of the situation, I would 

 mention the case of one tenant who began in 1895 

 with 8 acres of grass land, 4 acres of arable land, and 

 a few stock. He now has 35 acres, partly grass 

 and partly arable ; he breeds for sale stock of all 

 descriptions horses, cattle, pigs, and poultry ; he feeds 

 into his stock what he produces on his arable land ; and 

 he is now quite equal to taking over 100 acres, if the 

 association could only provide him with them. 



There is just one additional fact to be mentioned in 

 connection with the South Lincolnshire Association : 



