Selection of a Small Holding. 45 



are injurious to plant life. Rainwater is the best, particularly 

 for seedlings and plants in frames, and provision should be 

 made, where none already exists, for catching and storing 

 the rain which falls on the roofs of the various buildings. 



High cultivation and early crops must usually be accom- 

 panied by a plentiful use of manure, therefore the possibility 

 of obtaining a cheap and abundant supply must be carefully 

 enquired into. The quantity required will depend upon the 

 kind of culture undertaken. To carry out the scheme sug- 

 gested later, of fruit and vegetable growing combined with a 

 little intensive culture on seven acres, about one hundred tons 

 will be required annually, but if a larger space is occupied by 

 intensive work the amount of manure required will be in- 

 creased proportionately. 



Too much land should not be taken. Capital sufficient to 

 properly work five or six acres would be totally inadequate 

 for ten or fifteen acres in the same branch of culture, and 

 whilst success might be attained on the small area the attempt 

 to work the larger plot with insufficient capital would probably 

 end in failure. 



Finally, care should be taken that the tenure of the land is 

 secure and properly safeguarded. 



