2 ' ' - -'The Pr'ofiiac&e Culture of Vegetables. 



That the rural depopulation problem can be solved in no 

 other way has for some time been apparent to all who have 

 been sufficiently interested to study it, and it is becoming 

 surely, if somewhat slowly, the object of constructive legisla- 

 tion on these lines. The Allotments Act was a step forward, 

 .although a feeble and hesitating one. The Small Holdings Act 

 is a bolder measure, although a very incomplete one when the 

 magnitude of the problem it was designed to solve is con- 

 sidered, but unfortunately, modest as its provisions are even 

 when carried out in the spirit in which it was framed, it meets 

 with much opposition, both active and passive, from those 

 whose duty and privilege it is to put it into effective operation. 



But even were the Act administered with enthusiasm, pro- 

 vision of the bare land is not enough to meet the necessities 

 of the situation, and unless something more is done progress 

 must be very slow and uncertain. Men there are in plenty, of 

 the most suitable type, ready and indeed anxious to change 

 their mode of life and settle upon the land, but having little 

 or no capital the majority are effectually debarred ; of the few 

 who by perseverance and strenuous effort are at length enabled 

 to make the adventure, most, through ignorance of the business 

 they have undertaken or from lack of sufficient means to bring 

 it to a successful issue, either fail disastrously or are doomed 

 to a life of unnecessary privation and hard unremitting toil. 

 It appears to be overlooked that dwelling-house, out-buildings, 

 tools and appliances, manure, and in some cases live-stock, are 

 needed in addition to land, as well as a reserve fund to fall 

 back upon in the event of bad seasons in the early years, 

 and this calls for a considerable amount of capital in each 

 case. The majority of the men most suitable for the purpose 

 in view are comparatively poor in the circumstances it could 

 scarcely be otherwise and it is useless to expect them to 

 finance themselves. It is obvious that if the Small Holdings 

 Act is to have any real chance of accomplishing its purpose it 

 must not only be administered in the spirit in which it was 

 conceived, but should be supplemented by a fund which will 

 place such capital as is absolutely necessary within the reach 

 of eligible men, under conditions which will provide for its re- 

 payment within a reasonable period. 



