26 AGRICULTURAL DEPRESSION 



makes it clear, that, although there has been no whole- 

 sale collapse of agriculture, and there is undoubtedly a 

 keen competition for farms, the depression has made 

 itself felt everywhere. 



" Bankers," he reports, " had no hesitation in saying 

 that farmers were going steadily backward." 



All through the inland districts of Ayr, Wigtown, 

 Kirkcudbright, and Dumfries, evidence was continually 

 cropping up to show that tenants' capital was gradually 

 being lessened. 



Rents here, as everywhere in Scotland, had played a 

 principal part in increasing difficulties. 



" The majority thought that if only rents were made 

 proportionate to the value of farm produce, and the cost 

 of growing it, there was no reason why farmers might 

 not yet do very well. Nearly everybody was, however, 

 of opinion that few farmers seemed even yet to realise 

 that present prices were not likely to alter much for a 

 considerable time, or to base their calculations on 

 present values." " Next to low prices, the most potent 

 cause was generally considered to be the unwarrantable 

 competition which exists among farmers themselves." 



" Even in the best of times, farmers' profits are never 

 great, and when low prices set in, it is rare that any- 

 thing remains after expenses are paid." Mr Speir adds : 

 " The balance sheets in the Appendix show that, not- 

 withstanding the capital invested, the remuneration of 

 the average farmer of moderate means is no greater 

 than that of a first-class artisan." 



Some of the most painful evidence from Scotland is 

 given in the figures as to changes of tenancy in Mr 

 Speir's report. He obtained returns of the changes on 

 about 200 farms, comprising about 100,000 acres in 

 Ayrshire. " During the past fourteen years " there have 

 been thirty-eight changes in the arable and dairy, and 

 fourteen changes in the sheep-grazing farms. 



The rents of all North Ayrshire are very high, the 

 farms are comparatively small, and the farmers frugal 

 and industrious, yet their lot is anything but an easy 

 one. Many are complaining now who previously said 



