110 THE PRACTICAL SIDE OF 



CHAPTER VII 



THE SOIL OF THE SMALL HOLDING 



We have seen that the value of land as a 

 crop-producmg medium depends upon a 

 variety of conditions; its position, its alti- 

 tude, its aspect, and the rainfall of the district 

 in v/hich it is situated. Land of inferior 

 quality, however, can be materially improved 

 by skilful management, but its value can be 

 more easily diminished by carelessness in 

 cultivation and by inadequate manuring. 

 On the other hand, land of inferior quality 

 can be improved in value, because its power 

 to produce crops can be increased. The land 

 is the raw material upon which the small 

 holder must depend not only for the pro- 

 duction of saleable crops, but for the food 

 which his stock require; and we think we 

 may justly say that his most important duty 

 is not merely to maintain, but to be continually 

 improving, its condition. 



