CHAPTER XXXIX. 

 ALLOTMENTS. 



THE modern expression for allotment is " small holding," 

 and commissions of inquiry, various legislation, and 

 public speeches of cabinet ministers and other leading 

 parliamentarians have succeeded in attracting a good 

 deal of attention to the subject, which, for many reasons, 

 is one of considerable importance. 



One great object of all the stir that has been properly 

 made in reference to the allotment or small holding ques- 

 tion is the necessity of interesting farm labourers and 

 other available small holders in the soil of this country. 

 The stream of emigration from the rural districts that 

 has been proceeding for so long a time has been largely 

 caused by what may be called the pernicious and unfair 

 system under which small bits of land have been let to 

 the farm hands. 



Writing to us some years ago on this subject, a well- 

 informed West Country magistrate the late Mr. Arthur 

 Kinglake, J.P., a brother of the historian of the Crimean 

 War remarked : 



" He (the labourer) becomes (as the holder of an 

 allotment) for the time being an owner of the soil, and he 

 has a feeling of independence which nothing else can give, 

 and which at once exalts his character. His ground yields 

 him a large supply of vegetables for his family, and enables 

 him to keep and fatten a pig or two, and likewise some 

 poultry, which fetch large prices. Besides these advantages 

 from the allotment system, his children are trained to habits 

 of industry and carefulness. I agree with the opinion of 

 a well-known and much-esteemed Dorsetshire squire, that 



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