158 AGRICULTURAL ORGANISATION 



is now carrying about 2,000 tons of goods a year for the 

 Agricultural Association established at Brandsby, the popu- 

 lation of which place is 325. Not only has the service 

 been of great practical advantage, but it has become wholly 

 unequal to present requirements. In certain parts of the 

 district which cannot take advantage of the service at all 

 the cost of haulage to or from the railway is prohibitive. 

 Farmers there are obliged to be content with making butter, 

 though they would gain more — if only adequate facilities 

 were available — by sending their milk to York, which is 

 the natural market for the district. In some localities, 

 through which the proposed light railway would pass, the 

 only direct communication with York is by a carrier's 

 cart, occupying three or four hours on the journey. Farmers 

 at a distance of five or six miles from the railway are unable 

 to obtain, at a sufficiently low cost for transport, the manures 

 which would increase the production of their crops. Even 

 at Brandsby itself the farmers may be deprived of the use 

 of the motor wagon when, in wintry weather, the roads 

 are impassable. 



Hence the proposal for a light railway. Starting from 

 Brandsby it would have a total length of nine miles, and 

 connect with the North Eastern system at Haxby, four miles 

 north of York. The district it would serve comprises 

 20,000 acres, and has a population of about 3,000. In this 

 district there are eleven villages, the present average 

 distance of which from a railway is five miles. The line 

 is to be a full gauge one ; it will have three stations and two 

 halts, and it will be operated with a single engine, (steam), 

 and practically without signals. The estimated cost is 

 £34,000, including £1,500 for land and £2,500 for contin- 

 gencies. It is proposed to raise £36,000 by ordinary 

 shares and £12,000 by debentures. 



In regard to prospective traffic, the Brandsby Agricultural 

 Trading Association itself expects to provide at least 

 3,200 tons a year. A good milk traffic is anticipated ; the 

 greater use of manure should ensure more traffic in itself 

 and further increase the output of produce available for 



