Partnership Farming; 



L. The Present System of Land Tenure. 



The abolition of tenancy is not for one 

 moment suggested, but it is clear that 

 certain modifications of our present system 

 of land tenure would greatly benefit the 

 country and the agricultural industry. The 

 percentage of men who own their holdings 

 has been decreasing, largely because rich 

 people have bought up land on account of 

 its amenities. It has ever been a social evil 

 for the land of a nation to be concentrated 

 in the hands of the few, and it has now 

 become essential to increase the number of 

 cultivating owners. There are various sound 

 schemes — Mr. Jesse Collings', for instance 

 — whereby the farmer would gradually buy 

 his holding, without encroaching on his 

 working capital or paying a larger annual 

 sum than he should be well able to afford 

 if he is handling his farm rightly. 



Again partnership farming, now hardly 

 understood in this country, should be de- 

 veloped, and although it could never become 

 a widespread system it has certain advan- 

 tages. A few demonstrations of this 

 system are to be found in England. Under 



73 



