SMALL HOLDINGS 53 



and crops, and the natural shelter which 

 is afforded, he will scarcely fail to acquire 

 what will most assuredly help him to 

 succeed, if he is able to turn it to good 

 account. 



Let us next indicate how good land may 

 be distinguished from that which is undesir- 

 able. The land should be flat or sloping 

 to the south, not low-lying, but drained, 

 clean, free from sponginess, deep in staple, 

 rich in colour, dark brown or red being 

 preferable — unless it be alluvial, warp, or 

 fen land. The trees and hedges should be 

 vigorous, the pasture luxuriant, a brilliant 

 green in colour, and rich in clover. Where 

 the natural plants in the land are tough 

 and wiry, and daisies, mayweed, moss, 

 sedge, and the creeping bents or couch 

 abundant, or where the trees which 

 prevail are those which are common 

 to poor land, a holding should be left 

 alone. It need hardly be added that 

 the farm roads should be sound, the 

 hedges or fences in good repair, each 

 grass field supplied with never-failing water, 

 and the buildings for stock, implements, 

 and grain sufficient for the purpose of the 

 tenant. 



