THE RURAL PROBLEM 05 



spite of extraordinary generosity on the part of Mr. Fels in 

 remitting rent and advancing money, the men could not 

 afford to be generous to the land. Apart then from the uphill 

 struggle which, in the most favourable circumstances, small 

 holders must always wage, against heavy railway charges, 

 uncertain markets, lack of means of transit, and the general 

 disorganisation and neglect of agriculture in England at the 

 present time, the Mayland experiment was killed by the 

 insufficient preparation before settlement, the inexperience 

 of the men, the shortness of capital, bad situation, the unsuit- 

 able soil, and — in all fairness, it must be added — a run of 

 unfavourable seasons. 



The small holdings operations throughout the country 

 generally must be conducted so as to avoid these numerous 

 pitfalls and to fulfil the conditions of success above laid 

 down. Otherwise a small holding, like a small beerhouse, 

 or a seaside lodging-house, may in a brief period swallow up 

 the savings of years and leave a man of worth stranded in 

 middle life, broken in health and without a future. This 

 is a real danger, and one that enthusiasts are apt to under- 

 rate. Only by recognising it can it be averted, and a safe 

 ladder be provided by which the small man can climb in 

 agriculture, as in other industries, from the position of a 

 weekly wage-earner to one of economic independence. 



