ii 4 THE STATE AS FARMER 



conditions are rapidly changing, it becomes more 

 important than ever to unify the movement in such 

 a way that there should be no agriculturist, however 

 humble or however remotely situated, who may not 

 be able to draw profit from the experience of the 

 movement as a whole, and to link his efforts with 

 those of his fellows all over the kingdom in order to 

 adjust his industry to new demands and to develop 

 it upon the best lines in the general interests of the 

 nation. Yet obviously it would be only advisable 

 to start a branch when sufficient local support was 

 forthcoming ; and, previously to the war, it was held 

 that, under ordinary circumstances, an income of 

 £300 guaranteed for three years raised locally from 

 voluntary sources justified the step. Now, however, 

 in view both of the increased need of the work and 

 the increased difficulty in raising voluntary funds, 

 the Governors feel it desirable to relax their require- 

 ments and to be prepared to start branches upon a 

 cheaper footing and less efficiently equipped than, 

 under ordinary circumstances, they would consider 

 desirable. It seems to them better that the work 

 should be attempted, even in the face of great 

 obstacles, than that the possibilities it offers should 

 be disregarded. 



Taken as a whole, and studied with 

 impartiality, this Report is a more urgent 

 appeal for the State management that I 

 advocate than is my own more direct one. 



