18 



account, the number of larger farms would be somewhat in- 

 creased and that of the smaller farms proportionately reduced. 

 Bearing this qualification in mind, it is nevertheless interesting 

 to note the very large proportion which small holdings bear 

 to the total number. Reduced to percentages, the figures 

 above given compare as follows : 



It may be allowed that a considerable proportion, probably 

 the majority, of holdings of five acres and less are occupied 

 by persons whose principal avocation is not farming,* but even 

 if the whole of this category were ignored, the existence of 

 nearly a quarter of a million holdings of from five to 50 acres, 

 or little short of half the total number, provides ample evidence 

 that small holdings constitute a very important factor in the 

 utilisation of the land in Great Britain. Their comparative 

 prevalence in some counties and their scarcity in others appears 

 Local from Table Y. in the Appendix A., which shows for each 



difference?. county the proportion of small holdings distinguishing one 

 to five acres and five to 50 acres to the total number. By 

 placing the figures for 1895 alongside those for 1905, the 

 changes which have ^occurred during the ten years are also 

 indicated. The counties are arranged according to their 

 relative proportion of small holdings of one to 50 acres in 

 1905, and it will be noted that in England the West Riding 

 stands highest with 76 per cent., and Cumberland lowest with 

 52 per cent. The range is still greater in Wales and Scotland, 

 but the extent of " rough grazings," not included in the farm 

 acreages, being much larger than in England the classification 

 is more seriously affected, and the number of holdings in each 

 group affords a proportionately less accurate indication of the 

 actual position. 



Demand It is apparent from these statistics alone that as the supply 



for Small of small holdings varies so the demand for them is likely to 



Holdings. b e ver y different in different counties. As a matter of fact the 



reports are very diverse in their indications of a demand of this 



* The occupier of a few acres of land attached to his residence, who is in 

 no sense n farmer or dependent upon the utilisation of the land at a profit, 

 is an inconvenient factor in these returns, and unfortunately theve is no 

 of the extent, of his disturbing influence, 



