140 CONCLUSION 



to improve the social position of agricultural 

 labourers, which, if anything, would be still 

 more degraded and distasteful through employ- 

 ment by an industry which would have become 

 discredited by pauperism. But the creation of 

 village farms must automatically increase the 

 demand for the labourer's services and an 

 economic rise in his wage results. If thrifty 

 and energetic, he is able to obtain a piece of 

 land for his own occupation and profit ; and 

 thereby passes the first stepping-stone towards 

 the position of employer. 



Education and agricultural development are 

 factors essential to the successful creation of 

 small ownerships. This country, unfortunately, 

 in a large measure appears to overlook the 

 primary importance of scientific research and 

 of the speedy distribution of technical know- 

 ledge. The total amount spent by the Board 

 of Agriculture in the year 1912-13 upon this 

 work was £222,700.* The amounts provided 



* These figures were supplied by the President of the 

 Board of Agriculture in answer to questions by Mr. Charles 

 Bathurst, M.P., on April 29, 1913, and May 1, 1913. The 

 figures for England are exclusive of salaries paid to officers 

 of the Board. 



