528 COTTAGE GARDENS ASSOCIATION. 



ledge of the nature and capabilities of land in those who 

 have the purchasing or renting of it for redistribution is 

 of the very highest importance. 



THE QUESTION OF RENT is one for each committee 

 of management to settle ; it must necessarily vary in 

 different localities and under different circumstances. 

 Supposing a piece of land to be taken at 4 an acre, it 

 would seem that the rates of 75. 6d., 155., 22s. 6d., and 

 305. per allotment of 10, 20, 30, and 40 poles would not 

 be an unreasonable charge for small plots after division, 

 in order to cover preliminary expenses of management 

 and any deficit caused by occasional non-payment of rent. 

 If this proved too great a margin (and the preliminary 

 expenses would be found to vary considerably), the sur- 

 plus under this head might be returned to the tenants 

 pro rata after the yearly balance of accounts was struck. 

 It would doubtless be a safe plan to insist on the pay- 

 ment of rent in advance, but this, I fear, would shut out 

 some whom it would be very desirable to reach. How- 

 ever, a difference might be made in the rental in favour 

 of those who were willing to pay their rent in advance. 



There is one very important point in which the various 

 managing committees might render essential service to the 

 holders of allotments, namely, in securing for them the 

 best qualities and most suitable varieties of PLANTS AND 

 SEEDS on the most advantageous terms. Bad seeds and 

 plants are a serious loss to the cultivator, and it is best 

 known to those who have had the most practice in garden- 

 ing that some sorts of vegetables, fruits, and flowers are 

 more profitable to cultivators than others. For instance, 

 some varieties of cabbage have the habit of spreading their 

 leaves in such a manner that they occupy twice the space 

 required by others without giving a corresponding return 

 in the size of heart. Again, some varieties of vegetables 

 and fruits are more delicate and some less productive than 

 others. To grow such, even if the quality were a shade 

 higher, which however is not always the case, might suit 



