1 6 Agriculture and the Community. 



landowners in the first half of the nineteenth century who 

 were leaders in the industry. In scientific and technical 

 work they made a substantial contribution to the building 

 up of the industry. They were exceptional however, and 

 not all the landowners could claim their distinction. There 

 were outstanding landowners who were distinguished in 

 the opposite direction. But whatever claim may be made 

 for past services by the landowners, the initiative has now 

 passed out of their hands. In education, scientific research 

 and technical demonstration the lead is now taken by the 

 State and the cost is borne by the community. The land- 

 owners can put forward no claim to-day on this ground. 



We may sum up the position then by saying that what- 

 ever claims the landlords may put forward because of past 

 services, so far as agriculture is concerned to-day, they 

 are no longer effective partners in the industry. They do 

 not provide the money necessary for maintaining the 

 permanent equipment of the land as it ought to be main- 

 tained if agriculture is to become a progressive industry ; 

 they do not manage the land in a way that helps forward 

 the conduct of the industry ; and they have failed to bring 

 leadership or initiative to its development. By legislation, 

 administration and organisation the functions by which 

 they justify their position in the industry have passed from 

 them. They tend to become more and more mere receivers 

 of rent for agricultural land. 



The Farmer. 



No systematic attempt has been made to survey British 

 agriculture. The nearest approach we have is Sir A. D. 

 Hall's " Pilgrimage of British Farming," but valuable and 



