ITS LESSONS AND ITS WARNINGS 4 



The first Earl of Leicester, a great practical 

 agriculturist, also reclaimed large tracts of 

 hitherto worthless land, near Holkham, Norfolk, 

 and turned them into rich corn-growing areas. 



FRANCE 



On the channel coast of Normandy in the Bays 

 of Mount St. Michel and Des Veys, 9500 acres 

 of land were reclaimed from the sea. In 1896 

 the writer visited this great undertaking, and 

 by the courtesy of the managers of the work 

 was enabled to examine the plans, estimates, 

 cost and other particulars of it. As fast as the 

 land was reclaimed it was divided into small 

 farms and holdings, which were either let or 

 sold to buyers or tenants who put them im- 

 mediately under cultivation. The holdings 

 that were sold realized on an average 48 an 

 acre, and those that were rented were let at 

 an average rent of 2 16s. an acre. In 1905 the 

 writer received further particulars from the 



the Thorney estate, and found that the farmer's doorstep 

 was 9 feet below the sea level. For particulars of this great 

 undertaking, see " Land Reform," Appendix I. See also 

 " The Story of a Great Agricultural Estate," by the Duke 

 of Bedford (Murray). 



