44 AGRICULTURAL DEPRESSION 



from 40 to 100 acres, are often combined with some 

 other trade, and after the reductions of rent made, still 

 are rented at the high average of 30s. Those farmers 

 who have ability and capital have not suffered much. 



The best pastures in the Vale of Aylesbury are used 

 for fattening stock ; the next best land for dairy work, 

 of which milk pays best. 



The evidence from the South- Western Counties of 

 Scotland shows that throughout these counties dair)-- 

 ing is gradually supplanting other systems of- farming. 

 Coupled with stock farming, and with sheep grazing, it 

 has been the mainstay of these districts. While there 

 cannot be said to have been anything "like a total 

 collapse of farming," there are unmistakeable signs of 

 mischief in the frequent and sweeping changes of 

 tenancy, and in the depletion of tenant's capital. If Mr 

 Speir's report fairly represents the position, there can be 

 no doubt that these unfavourable results in a district 

 admirably suited for this class of farming, among men 

 thoroughly experienced, are largely due to the fact that 

 too great a proportion of the returns are absorbed in 

 rents, and that the sitting tenants, owing partly to 

 the action of the owners and agents, partly to the 

 extreme competition of outsiders, are unable to obtain 

 fair reductions of rent, though this is not universal. 



The conversion of arable into dairy farming has 

 tended to raise or rather to uphold rents. 



There is also keen apprehension as to the increase of 

 foreign competition, facilitated by milking machines as 

 well as by cheap freights, and as to the whole trade 

 being overdone in Great Britain itself 



The evidence from Wales shows that dairying pays 

 where milk and butter can be sent to the slate and 

 mining districts, and that the grass districts have greatly 

 escaped loss, as in Cheshire. The butter trade has been 

 depressed by foreign competition, but the best qualities 

 have maintained their prices. 



Many drawbacks and obstacles to success are in- 

 dicated here and there. The competition of foreign 

 countries and the colonies has undoubtedly lowered the 



