SECTIONAL TRANSACTIONS.—M. 467 
statistics shows that livestock numbers, in six eastern counties, increased 
during 1932 and 1933, at the rate of 7 to 8 per cent. per annum, and that 
although the total area under crops and grass declined slightly, there was 
an increase at the rate of about 6 per cent. per annum in the area under 
cash crops. The question as to how the rising numbers of livestock were 
maintained, in view of the falling area of fodder crops, is asked and answered. 
The gross production of crops rose, in the two years following 1931, 
partly as a result of favourable climatic conditions, and partly as a result of 
increased applications of fertilisers by farmers. Purchases of feeding stuffs 
were also largely augmented, but it appears that there has also been material 
improvement in the efficiency of the farmers’ livestock rationing methods— 
at least the livestock output per unit of fodder has risen. Further, both 
the volume and value of the gross output per unit of labour show evidence 
of increase. The combined effect of all the adjustments which have been 
made has been to raise net farm profits above the low level at which they 
stood in 1931, in spite of the decline in the official general price index which 
was characteristic of the period. 
Mr. A. W. Menzies KitcHin.— The economics of land settlement (11.40). 
(1) Under existing economic conditions, land settlement on a large scale 
offers little hope of creating new employment ; it is likely to lead to dis- 
placement of labour elsewhere, and/or to a general reduction in the standard 
of living of those already engaged in agriculture. 
(2) It is a fallacy to expect a large net increase in agricultural employment 
by stimulating consumption in a certain direction, as, unless spending 
power increases at the same time, this increased consumption will be at the 
expense of some other commodity. 
(3) While restriction of certain imports, e.g. bacon, eggs and vegetables, 
may enable holdings of the 3- to 5-acre type to carry on successfully for a 
time, they will eventually come into direct competition with more economic 
units of production, against which they will be unable to compete, as a result 
of their unstable character. 
(4) If Land Settlement, for reasons other than economic, is considered 
desirable in this country, the mixed family farm of 30 to 50 acres, on account 
of a flexibility of organisation which enables it to adapt itself to sudden 
price changes, and of the capacity of the family to live off the holding during 
a period of low prices, is the most suitable unit of settlement. 
DiscussION on above papers (12.0). 
Friday, September 6. 
Discussion on Recent changes in arable farming (10.0). 
Mr. C. T. Jorce.—Vegetable growing on a large scale. 
Mr. W. B. Apam.—Some problems in the growth of vegetables for 
canning (10.30). 
Of the problems directly connected with the growth of vegetables for 
canning, the selection of suitable varieties and the bio-chemical changes 
occurring during ripening, have been studied closely during the past few 
years at the Campden Research Station. 
Peas are canned both in the fresh state and as resoaked dried peas ; in 
