28 DECLINE OF BRITISH AGRICULTURE 



something. They had no prospect of getting superior 

 tenants ; the industry was not attracting new men with 

 capital and brains ; the safe policy for them, as for their 

 tenants, was to rest content with the small returns in 

 sight rather than to adventure on a policy that must 

 increase their risks and trouble. Land-owning in 

 England has ceased to be a business ; yet it is only by 

 personal knowledge and hard work that owners can 

 become leaders of their tenants and develop the capaci- 

 ties of their estates. Social tradition on the other hand 

 bade them be content with a low interest on their 

 capital, compensated for by sport and position. More- 

 over, land always has a monopoly value, and in a 

 prosperous country opportunities come from time to 

 time for profitable sales. 



