CONCLUSION 291 
that any other method will bring ultimate loss. Our 
farming community, on the whole very intelligent, should 
have no difficulty in adapting itself to new conditions 
in the light of the convincing evidence. Too much stress 
cannot be laid upon the necessity for intensive culture 
and a skilful crop rotation system, the importance and 
beneficial effects of which have been proved beyond 
doubt.* 
The solution of the labour problem presents greater 
difficulties. The real hope for improvement lies in the 
fostering of greater sympathy between farmers and 
labourers, in a better understanding of the whole labour 
problem by farmers in general, and in a new conception 
of the duties and responsibilities of a farm labourer on 
the part of our workers, and our whole democracy. The 
attainment of these much desired objects lies along many 
and devious paths. Farm labour must be classed as 
highly skilled, with a necessary probationary period. 
But many workers expect to receive full wages in 
return for untrained service, and the incompetence and 
irresponsibility of this section of labour has caused the 
farmer much annoyance, and contributed largely to 
determine his general attitude to labour problems. On 
the other hand the betterment of social life, together 
with improved working conditions for rural labourers, 
especially married men, would more than repay farmers 
the necessary outlay. The progress of rural education, 
notably agricultural, would go far towards attracting 
more people to the country, while the abolition of an 
unwise protective policy would retard the present rate 
of rural exodus. Lastly, and most important of all, the 
adoption of a more liberal system of general education 
would broaden the outlook of all classes and foster a 
true appreciation of individual worth. In particular 
for this purpose attention should be paid to the 
*See Chapter III. and Chapter VIII, 
P 
