69 



farms and it was only when these proved unprofitable that " little 

 men " got a chance on the land and they pay more rent than 

 their predecessors did. A fair sized market garden holding would 

 be five acres (2 hectares). 



The following statement is based on the practical experience 

 of a small holder, 50 to 100 capital would not be too much for 

 a good start. The holding would be worked by a father and son, 

 and help at special seasons. At least 10 per year should be spent 

 in planting fruit trees until the capital would be 150. Then 

 would be grown asparagus, lettuce, spring cabbage, onions, wall 

 flowers radish, peas and potatoes for use. The land is laid out 

 in strips 15 yards (13 met. 70 c.) wide. Between each strip rows 

 of plums and small bush fruit underneath. 



Fertilisers are liberally used, chiefly fish manure, nitrate of soda 

 and shoddy. Ploughing is hired, chiefly at 2 shillings an hour, 

 and constantly a horse and cart are kept. Rent would be up to 

 50 including a house. 



Railway vans circulate pretty widely to collect produce and many 

 people send small lots to the frequent Evesham auctions. 



Tomatoes and marrows are favourites with these who have 

 capital for a glass-house, and some grow cucumbers also under 

 glass. Some make tomato sauce and there is an important move 

 to " can " surplus fruit. A land agent told Mr. Impey that he knew 

 scores of men who 12 or 15 years ago were labourers at 15 shill- 

 ings a week who were now worth from 100 to 500 each. 



Lincolnshire offers as remarkable and suggestive a variety of 

 Small Holding industries as anywhere in England, though without 

 any great advantage in the way of climate. 



Sheep and Small Holdings. One man whom the author visited 

 had begun with 4 acres (1.6 hectares) and then got on a little and 

 kept sheep, and now he and his five sons farmed 800 acres (320 hec- 

 tares). Another had a 30 acres (12 hectares) holding, 26 arable, of 

 which 5 were roots, 12 barley, and paid 60 rent. He kept 12 

 to 15 ewes and reared last year 18 lambs. 



Shropshire and Cheshire afford instances of successful and long- 

 continued labourers' dairying Small Holdings which are of great 

 value in giving the occupiers the opportunity of earning a margin 

 out of which it is possible with thrift to build up a capital for a 

 larger farm. 



Lord TollemaMs three acres and a coiv Small Holdings. The 

 best known Small Holdings in Cheshire are those which the author 



