SMALL HOLDERS 77 



small farmers earn a satisfactory living. There was, 

 indeed, a considerable and growing demand for small 

 holdings, for the land is easy to work and will yield 

 returns very cheaply ; moreover, carrots, celery, and 

 asparagus are crops producing a considerable sum 

 per acre. Hemp used to be grown and yielded 

 excellent results to the small men. Unfortunately 

 the methods of dealing with the fibre were imperfect, 

 the mills have failed, and this industry has died out, 

 though it might be revived by some better means 

 of management which would handle the raw hemp 

 in the straw at a common centre. More crops suited 

 to small holders are wanted, for the danger attaching 

 to their present increase is that they will overcrowd 

 the local markets with the limited range of products 

 upon which the present men pay their way. How- 

 ever, the noticeable fact about the rich land, both on 

 this and on the silty side of the fen, is its power to 

 carry a comparatively dense population which lives 

 by agriculture alone sturdy, independent folk of 

 prime value to the State even if they sometimes do 

 vex the souls of clergy and gentry ; whereas in many 

 other districts the richer the land is the larger the 

 holdings become, and the fewer are the families 

 maintained thereon. 



