2 NOTES ON THE NATUKAL LIMITS TO OCCUPATION, ETC. 



from tilled, lands. The following proportions show what 

 obtains in five great countries in Europe : — 



Proportion Percentage Total Area in Cultivation. 



Prom this analysis we can perceive that there is a variation 

 in the hands employed per 100 acres, ranging between 5-38 

 per cent, in the United. Kingdom to 17*91 in Belgium. The 

 tilled lands requiring a larger proportion of hands, account 

 for the larger number employed per 100 acres in some 

 countries ; but against this must be placed the reduction in 

 the hands employed, effected by the introduction of machinery 

 and improved methods of culture — when all other things are 

 equal. The space limit to occupation on the land, however, 

 can only affect countries that are already densely populated 

 and whose land area relatively is limited. Let us, therefore, 

 apply this method to a particular country, say, the United 

 Kingdom, for the purpose of ascertaining:— 



1. The maximum number of hands that could find employ- 

 ment upon the land, supposing it was conceivable to bring the 

 total area into cultivation. 



2. The maximum number that could find employment on 

 the more probable supposition that only 75 per cent, of the 

 area could possibly be utilised. 



3. The number of years in which the full limit would be 

 reached supposing it conceivable to cultivate the whole area 

 of the country including sites of dwellings in towns, villages, 

 and cities, and lake and mountain areas. 



4. The number of years in which the full limit would be 

 reached, supposing it probable that no more than 75 per 

 <5ent. of the total area could be brought under ciiltivation. 



