170 Large and Small Holdings 



When pasture-farming is in question, the large farmer has still 

 great advantages as regards the purchase of foodstuffs, which, whether 

 natural or artificial, are very necessary on such farms. And here 

 again he has the use of machinery, as e.g. grass-cutting and hay- 

 making machines, which the small man cannot generally afford. 

 Even if a small farmer does make up his mind to provide himself 

 with them (for allotment holders, even of the larger type, it is of 

 course out of the question) he has to pay at a higher rate for a 

 machine of smaller capacity \ Kelsey's Patent Chaff Cutter and 

 Sifter, for instance, cost in 1904 : 



To treat per hour Price 



12 cwts. ^37 



1 6 43 



20 52. ioj. 



24 58 



30 62 



So that the farmer who bought the most expensive machine did 

 not pay nearly double what the cheapest cost, whereas his machine, 

 though only about 67 per cent, dearer, was of 150 per cent, higher 

 capacity. The large farmer, therefore, saves both time and labour 

 through being in a position to buy and make full use of a better 

 machine than his small rival can do. Here again he has an advantage 

 in pasture-farming over the small holder. 



The invention of hay-making machinery has been particularly 

 important to the large farmer. Without it he would be at a consider- 

 able disadvantage in this part of his business. The small farmer, in 

 consequence of the more intensive labour (here quantitatively 

 intensive) which he applies, can get through his hay-making much 

 more quickly than the large farmer employing day-labour. Conse- 

 quently he can often take advantage of favourable weather, and finish 

 his harvest before bad weather sets in, while the large farmer takes 

 longer about the work, and can seldom get in all his hay before a 

 break in the weather occurs. To employ extra labour at a time when 

 its price is high is a doubtful benefit. But the use of labour-saving 

 machinery solves his difficulties. It does not indeed give him any 

 superiority over the small holder in this sphere, but it does put him 

 on the same level. In the result, the large pasture farmer, though 

 the use of machinery helps him greatly, does not obtain by its means 



1 See the catalogue of Kelsey and Co., Sheffield, p. 13. 



