172 PROBLEMS OF VILLAGE LIFE 



scattered throughout the country, from York 

 to Cornwall, and from Kent to Shropshire. 

 In the rare cases where land divided into 

 small farms has reverted to large, not one of 

 the special factors was present which I have 

 noted as likely to ensure success. Yet these 

 factors have been shown to be no exceptional 

 combination of advantages, but so common that 

 there are probably but few parts of England 

 in which one or other of them does not exist. 

 The following extract from the Annual 

 Report by the Small Holdings Commissioners 

 (1912) is full of interest as showing what can 

 be accomplished by skill and industry on a 

 small holding of only seven acres. 



" The land of the district is a loam, varying 

 in texture from a light, free-working soil, to 

 a_stronger soil on suitable clay for standard 

 fruit trees. The land tenanted was bare on 

 entry, and some of it was in poor condition. 

 The seven acres are cultivated now as 

 follows : 



2 acres under Fruit 



2 Bulbs. 



1 Wheat. 



1 Oats. 



Clover. 



| Homestead. 



Total 7 acres. 



