PREFACE ix 



gi'ess of this decline in the numbers of persons 

 engaged in agriculture is a pressing problem 

 both for politicians and agriculturists. 



Many of the causes to which depopulation is 

 due will not be affected by any possible change 

 in our system or methods of land cultivation. 

 Nothing will prevent those who have no taste 

 for rural pursuits from seeking other industrial 

 occupations. There must, therefore, always 

 be a rural exodus. The real trouble is that 

 every year hundreds of young men, naturally 

 inclined to an agricultural career, turn their 

 backs on the soil, follow less congenial employ- 

 ment in the towns, or try their fortunes on the 

 land abroad. Low wages do not altogether 

 explain the depopulation, for the Northern 

 Counties suffer equally with those of the South 

 JSlidlands and the Elast. Some further explana- 

 tion is needed. One of the most important 

 causes undoubtedly is the poor prospect of 

 bettering his position which is at present 

 afforded to the cultivator of the soil. " Once 

 an agricultural labourer, always an agricultural 

 labourer," is not a rule without exceptions. 

 But it is so generally true that it hinders mul- 

 titudes of young men from taking employment 



