SMALL HOLDINGS 201 



approximately near the mark — the total 

 sum would amount to £6, leaving a balance 

 of £7 to cover the cost of that portion 

 of the ration produced upon the farm. 

 On this basis the maintenance of five 

 dairy cows would be followed by a much 

 larger net profit, but as it is manifestly im- 

 possible to determine what foods would be 

 grown, and in what quantities per acre, 

 for each man is a law unto himself in rela- 

 tion to the system of cropping and the 

 liberality with which he uses manure, the 

 only safe plan is to estimate the cost of the 

 food consumed, basing our figures upon 

 normal prices. It will thus be seen that 

 the cost of feeding the cows is, soil and 

 weather apart, entirely in the hands of the 

 farmer. If he is satisfied with an average 

 crop of hay, roots, or forage, his cows will 

 cost him more than they should do; if, on 

 the other hand, his hay crop yields from 35 

 to 40 cwt. per acre, his roots 40 tons or more, 

 and if he is able to obtain 40 to 50 cwt. of 

 oat straw for forage and litter, and other 

 crops in proportion, his cows will be fed to 

 the greatest advantage, and in consequence 

 they will return an increased profit. 



The general tendency of occupiers of 



