CHAPTER V. 

 SELECTION OF A SMALL HOLDING. 



Situation Aspect Protection Fences Soil Drainage Manure 



Area Tenure. 



THE first condition of success in a small holding is that it 

 should be in a suitable situation. Mistakes in this matter 

 may cause failure even when all other conditions are favour- 

 able. The best position is undoubtedly one within a few miles 

 of the market which is to be supplied, and this is especially 

 necessary when the main produce consists of bulky green 

 vegetables or quickly perishable articles, or when it is intended 

 to develop a connection with shops, hotels, and restaurants. 



Land near a large town will probably be highly rented, but 

 a few extra pounds a year for rent is a small matter in com- 

 parison with the constant saving in cartage and charges for 

 railway carriage, besides the great convenience of being able 

 to take produce to its destination by road at any time most 

 suitable to the grower or his customer. It also frequently 

 happens that owing to scarcity or unusual demand prices in 

 the markets are much higher on some days than on others 

 and when the holding is situated within a few miles these 

 increased rates can be at once taken advantage of. Besides 

 this, manure can frequently be drawn back on the return 

 journey and so obtained at a tithe of what it would cost if 

 brought by rail. 



If a holding cannot be secured near a populous centre the 

 next best situation is one near a railway station which gives 

 facilities for the conveyance of produce at reasonable rates 

 to a number of provincial markets. Such a position, although 

 not so good as one near a large town, has usually the re- 

 compense of a much better atmosphere and cheaper land. 

 A situation of this kind would be suitable for the lighter and 

 more valuable crops and those not quickly perishable, or for 

 a direct supply business in small parcels by rail or post. 



