41 



in the district by the case of a farm of 400 acres on Causes of 

 which the same amount of wheat is grown now as in 1866; Decline. 

 the difference in the value of the crop, however, is over 500. 

 "Add to this," he says, " the lessened value of barley, wool 

 and sheep, and the 40 per cent, increase in wages, and the 

 deficiency is tremendous. The rent of the farm in 1866 was 

 600, but it was cheaper then at that sum than it is to-day 

 at 100." With their present education boys do not care for 

 farm work, but prefer to go to the towns and mining districts, 

 where they get higher wages and more holidays and amuse- 

 ments. Sunday work is very much objected to. 



As regards the decrease in farmers it is stated that farms 

 have been left in the owners' hands or taken over by adjoining 

 tenants. 



DORSET. The decline is due to the reduction of the area 

 under tillage, the increased use of improved machinery, and ' 

 the endeavour to cut down the outlay on labour in every 

 possible direction. There is a tendency to subdivide large 

 holdings owing to tenants' lack of capital; the small farmers 

 employ far fewer men, doing much of the work themselves with 

 the help of their sons. In many of the villages there is a lack 

 of suitable cottages ; those in outlying districts are being pulled 

 down, as labourers will not live in out-of-the-way places. Mr. 

 Duke writes : " On estates in my management, which are typical 

 of the county, we have very few vacant cottages, though probably 

 they are less overcrowded. At any rate there is no room here- 

 abouts in the country districts for more inhabitants without 

 building, and I doubt if private individuals will be found to 

 embark in building cottages to let them at the low rates prevail- 

 ing." The system of education has caused a lack of interest in 

 agriculture, and there are easy means of communication with 

 the towns, where higher wages and other attractions are 

 offered. 



DEVON. The low price of corn has sent land out of culti- 

 vation, and owing to lack of means farmers cannot afford to 

 keep so many men or give them such high wages as they can 

 get in towns. No prospect is held out to the labourer to attain 

 a better position ; in some cases there is a lack of comfortable 

 dwellings. The system of education is deemed unsuitable, and 

 town life, with its absence of Sunday work and opportunities 

 of enjoyment, exercises a great attraction. 



CORNWALL. Owing to the low price of cereals a great extent 

 of arable land has been laid down to pasture ; this together with 

 the increased use of improved machinery has done away with 

 the necessity for a great deal of labour. With a higher rate of 

 wages and less means to pay farmers take every opportunity 

 to reduce the outlay on this item. On the part of the labourer 

 other causes have operated. His education is not directed 

 towards rural pursuits, to which, on the contrary, there is 



