24 Agriculture and the Community. 



He develops his argument fully in the book (pp. 26, 27). 

 " It should be remembered also that the majority of 

 farmers regard their occupation as providing a living 

 rather than as a means of making money which can be 

 extended and developed. They accept their routine as 

 something inevitable, not susceptible of change — to alter 

 would be ' bad farming, ' whatever the results ; if times 

 are good there is more money to be saved or put aside, 

 but they do not feel called upon to respond to the new 

 opportunities and enlarge their business. They are doing 

 very well as they are, and are not prepared to change from 

 their policy of safety except under pressure. We have in 

 all considerations of agriculture to reckon with the 

 temperament and equipment of the men who are actually 

 holding the bulk of British land at the present moment. 

 Speaking generally, it is not too much to say that they 

 are insufficiently educated and short of capital for the 

 business they have in hand. Putting aside a substantial 

 minority and many brilliant exceptions, they have not been 

 touched by the revival of agricultural education that has 

 taken place during the last twenty years and do not take 

 advantage of the technical assistance that is now at their 

 service. Most of all, their business training is at fault; 

 they often are capable enough craftsmen, but they are 

 bound within a narrow routine and show no adaptability 

 either in their management or in their buying and selling. 

 On the average farm the expert cannot say ' do this ' or 

 ' use that ' and success will ensue ; he sees instead a 

 general low level both of knowledge and management. 

 In every district certain farms stand out ; and if the 



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