55 



themselves, and the tendency towards life in town and light Causes of 

 employment is on the increase in the youth of both sexes in Decline, 

 the rural districts." Mr. Campbell, also, refers to the general 

 disinclination on the part of the rising generation to under- 

 take farm work. Mr. Andrew writes: "The decline is to a 

 great extent caused by landlords holding farms, more especially 

 pastoral farms, in their own hands, many of them being put 

 under deer; also the tendency has been to group farms 

 into too large holdings, whereby in the case of those 

 unlet, a greive takes the place of a few farmers, families 

 and cottagers; and where the ground is put under deer 

 many shepherds and their families are sent adrift." Mr. 

 Campbell, speaking with over forty years' experience of 

 farming both at home and in Australia, says : " There is no 

 difficulty in answering this question to anyone with practical 

 experience. The capital invested in working a farm gives less 

 net gain than that invested in other industries, consequently 

 those able to do so turn to other pursuits or go abroad to farm. 

 There is no question of rent or restrictions of lease involved, 

 as owning occupiers of ability experience the same results 

 as other occupiers. I expressly exclude any inference 

 drawn from model home farms, or other farms in owners' 

 hands so run as to encourage a heavy stock of game. 

 There is no want of ability among those who farm in this 

 country, they compare favourably in knowledge with similar 

 classes in other countries, but the better the man the less likely 

 he is to stay farming in this country." 



AYR. Mr. Sloan gives as reasons for the decline : 



(1) The narrow margin between the prices obtained for pro- 

 duce and the cost of production. 



(2) The use of improved machinery for most agricultural 

 purposes. 



(3) The better wages, shorter hours, and social surroundings 

 in the larger towns. 



Mr. Hannah considers that the principal cause is the diffi- 

 culty of giving steady employment during the whole year. 



CAITHNESS. Owing to the decline in prices a great extent 

 of land has been laid down in permanent pasture, hence the 

 same number of agricultural labourers is not required. Im- 

 provements on the land are only carried out to a very small 

 extent. Also the young people seem disinclined to remain, and 

 seek employment in the large towns where they think they 

 can better their position. 



DUMFRIES. Mr. Waugh gives the following as reasons for 

 the decline: 



(1) The lack of prospect for the agricultural labourer and 

 the opportunities which other employments offer. 



(2) The use of labour-saving appliances. 



