THE RURAL PROBLEM 80 



brought to an end. Milk now comes from Scotland to 

 Bristol, or goes from Cornwall to the North of England. 

 In Brighton you ran buy eggs that were laid in Anglesey. 

 There arc the same number of markets in London as in the 

 days of Stowe — i.e., eleven — although the population has 

 increased by 4.1 millions since his time, or, if Greater London 

 is included, by over 7 millions.* The markets themselves are 

 actually a hindrance rather than a help, and the waste and 

 loss is enormous. Empty carts block the way, the space is 

 insufficient, the prices are unprofitable, the deliveries are 

 bad. It has been estimated that in strawberries alone 

 £100,000 a year is lost by the Home Counties through 

 trading with London markets. The wholesale price of 

 strawberries in London averages 2|d. per pound, whereas 

 the retailers average 5d. Of £500,000 worth of strawberries 

 retailed in one year the growers only received £250.000, and 

 many only got 2d. for fruit that was sole! at 0d. 



With a little organisation all this can be remedied and 

 millions of money saved. Each disiript should have its 

 egg-packing and sale depots, its fruit-storing and grading 

 centres. The stuff must be sorted into first, second and 

 third qualities and each quality must find its way swiftly 

 to its appropriate market. There must be factories of by- 

 products, the surplus fruit must be turned into jam or dried, 

 surplus milk must be turned into cheese. How can English 

 agriculture play aiw part in the world of modern industry 

 unless it sets itself to adopt the methods which are the 

 A B ,C of business and to which the agricultural success of 

 other countries is due ? 



Co-operation cannot be forced, but it can be encouraged. 

 Most of the necessary reforms could be brought about under 

 the Development Act and no fresh legislation is yet ncces- 



* Population of London in Stowe's days — 



Within the walls 130,000 



In liberties and submit 102,000 



Total 232,000 



Population at present time — 



City of London 17,132 



Administrative County of London 4,872,7]i> 



Greater London 7,537,196 



