t»EASANT PROPRIETARY 225 



not sufficient. By a system of small ownerships a 

 way would be opened up for women to carry on these 

 industries on their own account. Only a small capital 

 would be required for the purpose, there would be 

 small risk, while a home and a sound country life 

 would be secured. A large number of educated 

 women, settling on the land for a career, would form 

 a valuable social element in our rural life. The de- 

 mand for the produce of holdings large and small, 

 which could be managed by women, is practically un- 

 limited. Fruit and vegetables we import annually to 

 the value of about five millions sterling ; cheese above 

 seven millions. England, fitted by nature to be per- 

 haps the best butter-producing country in Europe, 

 pays to the foreigner the enormous sum of above 

 twenty million sterling each year for butter, half of 

 which comes from that country of small holders, 

 Denmark — a country only about half the size, and 

 with about half the population, of Ireland. 



In poultry-farming — an occupation suitable for 

 women — there is almost an unbounded scope. In 

 1904 we imported poultry to the value of upwards of 

 one million sterling, and of eggs nearly seven millions. 



It is difficult to grasp the extent of an industry when 

 expressed by such large sums. It might be realized 

 somewhat by a statement of the fact that our average 

 daily imports of eggs throughout the year (Sundays 

 included) are about six and a half millions in number. 

 When we remember that during some months in the 

 year English new-laid eggs realize in our cities as 

 much as two shillings per dozen, and that the prices 

 of poultry are fairly good, it seems evident that this 

 industry, if carried on in an improved and a scientific 



