430 LAND REFORM 



to market, a net sum of ;^28o for the crop. Encouraged by 

 this result, he increased the acreage until he had 22 acres 

 planted with asparagus. Thanks to the splendid agricultural 

 schools of all grades (see Chapter VI) which exist in France, 

 the French peasantry as a rule are well trained in the best 

 methods of cultivation. M. Touzard gives many useful 

 examples of these methods as applied to the growing of 

 such produce as onions, radishes, cauliflowers, artichokes, 

 rhubarb (for the London market), etc. He speaks of the 

 light implements of the systeme Howard, and especially of 

 Howard's light harrows, as most suitable for the land. 



In answer to an inquiry as to the present position of the 

 undertaking, I received (in the present year 1905) a letter 

 from the Managing Director which states : " The prosperity 

 that you saw in i8g6 has continued. All the land which is 

 now the property of the Company, including 152 hectares 

 (380 acres) reclaimed since 1896, is let. The average rent is 

 160 francs per hectare (about £2. lis. 6d. an acre). Since 

 1896 about 580 hectares (1450 acres) have been sold at an 

 average price of 2340 francs per hectare (about £%']. los. 

 an acre); but we have decided, with good reason, that no 

 more sales shall be effected at less than 3000 to 3800 

 francs per hectare (;^48 to £60. i6s. per acre)." 



No doubt, in several parts of England, similar work might 

 be done by the State (Board of Agriculture). Such under- 

 takings would give productive employment to a large number 

 of men, and the land when reclaimed could be readily sold 

 to occupying owners and peasant proprietors on the terms 

 named in the Land Purchase Bill. 



