148 THE LAND AND ITS PROBLEMS 



Where training takes place upon a large farm, even 

 under a first-class farmer, this is rarely the best prepara- 

 tion for the management of a small holding — the methods 

 are so different. 



Having received his modicum of training, it is 

 absolutely essential that the would-be smallholder 

 should settle in a group or colony of smallholders ; there 

 he will derive the benefit of co-operation with his 

 fellows, and there he can continue his training under 

 an expert. 



For some years he will require guidance in handling 

 his farm ; in fact, effective guidance is his one guarantee 

 of success. And, next to guidance, access to capital ; 

 even if a man has sufficient capital to start a holding, he 

 should only settle where he can be certain of borrowing 

 further capital on advantageous terms, should this be 

 necessary for the development of his holding. This 

 comment applies, with still greater force, to the man who 

 has not sufficient capital to equip his holding and who 

 has therefore to borrow at the outset. 



The following paragraphs describe the different 

 courses open to a man with little capital, who wishes to 

 become a farmer. It is clear that to begin \Ath. he 

 must be content with a small area of land, whether he 

 remains at home or migrates. In the United Kingdom 

 a small holding is technically a farm of 50 acres or 

 under. 



(i) The would-be smallholder could rent an old- 

 established holding on a private estate. He would have 

 to apply for it just like any other small farmer ; he 

 would have to satisfy the owner, or his agent, that he 

 had sufficient capital and knowledge to farm the holding 

 properly — and here he would, in most cases, find con- 

 siderable difficulty. For a small mixed farm, 30 acres 



