NEW FOREST CUMBERLAND 287 



have now holdings of 12 to 50 acres, while a labourer's 

 son who started with a heifer of his own, when only 

 seventeen, now deals in cattle, sometimes to the amount 

 of ^500 a week. The average amount to each depositor's 

 credit in the savings bank is £1"] ys iid as against 

 /14 I2s 2d for all England. A little carting adds to 

 their profits. 



Of a small holding about one-fourth would be arable, 

 with potatoes, turnips, vegetables, and winter food for 

 their cows. The rest is pasture and orchard. There is 

 spade culture and high manuring. Dairy-fed pork, 

 butter, poultry and eggs are sold to itinerant dealers. 



The majority of the holdings are let, and at rents 

 double the usual rent of the district, because of the 

 grazing rights. But the tenants can well afford it. 



Although the old race of small owners, called locally 

 " statesmen," have been dwindling in Cumberland and 

 Westmoreland, from the many temptations to sell their 

 land, from changes in their family tastes, and other 

 causes, the northern counties throw a most encouraging 

 light on the policy of promoting small holdings. 



Mr Coleman, reporting to the Richmond Commission, 

 said that " the prosperity of the farmers in Cumberland 

 and Westmoreland is attributable mainly to their extra- 

 ordinary industry and careful habits, which are induced 

 by the desire to improve their condition." 



The agent to the Netherby Estate says : " The farmers 

 who have been foremen and labourers keep climbing 

 up. They are never satisfied to stand still." A man 

 who has risen from a shepherd to a large farmer says : 

 " I think a small farm should be a stepping-stone to a 

 large one." 



Lord Lonsdale's agent stated : " We have plenty of 

 big farmers who began life as farm servants, and now 

 have 300 or 400 acres. They make the best farmers, being 

 steady hard working men who know their business." 



Lord Leconfield's agent : " Wages have been good, 

 clothing and the other necessaries of life cheap, so that 

 a thrifty man could save, and in middle life take a farm 



' Wilson Fox, Cumberland, p. 36. 



