Size of Farms. 4-1 



SECT. VII. Size of Farms. 



AMONG the preliminary points which demand the parti- 

 cular attention of any individual, about to commence the 

 profession of agriculture, the size of the farm which he pro- 

 poses to occupy, is of peculiar importance. If it is beyond 

 his capital to cultivate or improve, he can derive no profit by 

 taking it. On the other hand, a small occupation, may not 

 be worthy of his attention, or capable of producing a suffi- 

 cient surplus for his comfortable subsistence. 



The size of farms, in general, is a subject on which vo- 

 lumes have been written, and respecting which, a great di- 

 versity of opinion prevails. It is impossible to lay down 

 any precise or universal standard, as so much depends upon 

 the nature and situation of the country, whether unculti- 

 vated or otherwise ; the size of estates in it ( I49 ) ; the cha- 

 racter, skill, and capital of the farmer ; and a variety of 

 local circumstances. At the same time, it is necessary to 

 discuss the relative advantages of the different sizes, that 

 the subject may be the better understood. 



Arable farms may be divided into three sorts : 1. Small 

 farms under 100 acres ; 2. Moderate-sized farms, from 100 

 to 300 acres; 3. Large farms, from 300 to 1000 acres and 

 upwards, of land fit for cultivation. 



1. Small Farms. When the object of a farmer, was 

 merely to procure a maintenance, (and formerly it was lit- 

 tle more), and agriculture was not pursued, like manufac- 

 tures and commerce, as a means of acquiring wealth, small 

 farms were adequate to the purpose ( 15 ). But the case 

 is now widely different. The expense of labour is so great, 

 and the rent of land so high, that the profits of a small 

 farm, are not sufficient, with the utmost frugality, or even 

 parsimony, to maintain a family with comfort. However 

 injurious, therefore, it may be, to the production of a nume- 

 rous and healthy population, large farms are increasing, and 

 must increase, in order to afford their holders a subsis- 

 tence ; and the tenants of smaller possessions will be under 

 the necessity of devoting themselves to other branches of 

 industry ( l51 ). 



Among the arguments in favour of small farms, the fol- 

 lowing are particularly dwelt upon : 1. That where such 

 farms are to be obtained, industrious individuals, possessed 

 of small capitals, have an opportunity of following the pro- 

 fession of a farmer, to which they would do credit, but from 



