362 THE FUTURE OF OUR AGRICULTURE. 



It may be added, in connection with the last-named point, 

 that the encumbrances of landed property with mortgage 

 debts in Germany, of which so much has been made— and 

 not without good cause — attach, so far as excessive mort- 

 gaging comes into account, preponderatingly to large pro- 

 perties — squires' estates. There are some peasant holdings 

 over-mortgaged ; but their number is not large. And the 

 statistical figures given are in places misleading. For I 

 have the late Dr. Buchenberger's authority for it that in 

 many cases the entries made represent uncancelled but 

 actually repaid mortgage loans, the cancelment of which 

 has been advisedly deferred, in order that the same deed 

 might serve, if it should prove necessary, to raise a fresh loan. 

 That will save a few fees. 



It is not my business here to give precepts for the estab- 

 lishment and management of small holdings. For such 

 information I would refer readers to the high authority of 

 Mrs. Rowland Wilkins and the very useful publication 

 " The Smallholder," with its instructive " Smallholder 

 Library." As Mr. Prothero rightly urged, you cannot 

 establish small holdings anywhere. There must be precedent 

 favouring conditions, the most important among which is 

 that the site should be accessible and have in its turn ready 

 access to suitable markets. No one in his senses would 

 think of planting small holdings in a wilderness. With 

 the exception of such truly unmanageable soils as very sticky 

 clay or very stony brash, the question of soil presents no 

 serious difficulties, although of course good workable loam 

 is the best. However, under suitable conditions — with 

 the knowledge of fertilisers now at our command — sand 

 will make excellent small holdings — for more besides the 

 cultivation of asparagus. 



Careful selection of only suitable settlers, well fitted for 

 the task to be entrusted to them, is a matter of very con- 

 siderable importance, which cannot be neglected with 

 impunity, whatever the circumstances of the case may 

 otherwise be. And it is just on this point that we are 

 threatened with falling short. Another point on which I 

 should like to lay stress is, that small holders should begin 



