SMALL AND LARGE HOLDINGS 117 



problem of dealing with cx-senice men that they, for 

 the first time, gave any consideration to the problem 

 of " organized " or " scientific " settlement. As the 

 result of considerable pressure, the Government appointed 

 the Verney Committee in 191 6; and the report of this 

 Committee (cd. 9079) is noteworthy, in that it is 

 the first to lay down the principles of sound settlement. 

 Its recommendations have been more or less embodied 

 in the '* Settlement (Facilities) Act," and rather less 

 than more, they have been or are in the process of 

 being carried out. 



Further details are given in Appendix No. IV. 



There is much variety in the types of small holdings, 

 as also in their size. Technically, a holding of under 

 5 acres is an allotment, though in fact the majority of 

 allotments are of i acre and under. 



Market garden holdings would be, as a rule, of under 

 5 acres ; in France or Belgium, with their wonderful 

 intensive methods of cultivation, one acre is considered 

 the economic size, and a skilled man can make from 

 j(^8o to ^100 net per annum (at pre-war rates) off such 

 a holding. Next in size w'ould come the combined 

 market garden and fruit holding, averaging about 10 

 acres, with tree fruit or bush fruit. 



The jruit Jarm is planted with standard apple, pear, 

 plum, or cherry trees, as the case may be, and often with 

 raspberries, currants, or gooseberries between the rows 

 of trees. This type of farm may range froni 20 to 50 

 acres in size, 30 acres probably being about the average. 

 When in full bearing the gross yield can be ^(^80 to ;Cioo 

 per acre, and more in exceptional cases, and one has known 

 men to clear £40 per acre in a good year. At a very 

 moderate estimate the profits from this t}'pe of farm should 

 average £20. Hut prtjfits will always depend upon the 



