SMALL AND LARGE HOLDINGS 125 



much the same result is obtained from the average small 

 mixed farm, except where the land is particularly good 

 as, for instance, in the neighbourhood of Spalding. Here 

 the area that provides a man with a good living is much 

 less than in most parts ; men can do well on 20 acres. 



A notable feature on the Continent is the way in 

 which the smallholder builds up his land, turning, by 

 his treatment of it, light poorish soils into highly pro- 

 ductive. We have hardly begun to understand this, and 

 in consequence the general opinion is that it is essential 

 to place smallholders on land of very good quality. 

 Hea\'>' land is not suitable for small holdings ; but 

 comparatively poor land, provided it is easy working, 

 is suitable and, as it can be bought at a lower figure, 

 an important saving in the initial expenditure can be 

 effected. 



I know intimately a holding of 27 acres, on land that 

 would fetch from ^'20 to £2^ per acre in the market, 

 which has been handled in an up-to-date way. It is an 

 arable dairy farm, carr\'ing ten cows in milk ; the only 

 grass, a paddock of i acre adjoining the cow-shed ; 

 cropping 5 acres lucerne, 7 acres mangolds, 14 acres 

 oats and barley. The financial results of an average 

 year (1914) were — gross sales of milk, oats and barley 

 j(^530, or just under ^(^20 per acre. The profit received 

 by the smallholder was ^^220 or about £S 3s. per acre ; 

 this after paying all working expenses, rent, rates and his 

 own wage at £50 per annum, but not including interest 

 upon his working capital which was /[350 or about 

 £12 per acre. At the present time it would require 

 more than twice as much working capital to ensure 

 success. But his gross receipts last year were about 

 /^looo, and his profit ,(^400. 



The buildings, standings for ten cows, two pigsties 



