THE SELECTION OF LAND 7 



He estimates that " a fair average value, taking the last 

 five years' sales as a guide, is equal to £250 per acre." 

 But this would be reduced now to £200. 



Land Tenure 



The majority of beginners in market gardening 

 require from 10 to 20 acres, and if the freehold of 

 suitable land could be purchased at .£10 to £20 per 

 acre there would be plenty of buyers. Even if it could 

 be had on leases of twenty-one years with the option of 

 purchase, tenants could be readily found who would give 

 from 30s. to £4 per acre, according to the quality of the 

 land and the position. It is the difficulty of obtaining 

 such small blocks which induces some men to take plots 

 of land on building leases of 99 years ; but if the erection 

 of houses within a specified time and of a stated value 

 is required, such holders frequently find themselves 

 involved in considerable difficulties. 



It encourages a man to exert himself to the ut- 

 most when he is working upon his own land, or with 

 some security of tenure over a definite period ; but 

 failing the opportunity or the means to purchase free- 

 hold land, or to obtain sufficiently long leases, the 

 majority are reduced to renting land on yearly tenure, 

 the basis upon which most farm land is let on large 

 estates. Near towns the rapidly increasing value of 

 land for building renders owners unwilling to let it on 

 leases for horticultural purposes, so the market grower 

 is either compelled to take it on yearly agreement, or go 

 farther out from the centres of population. 



Compensation 



Protection is afforded by law, whatever may be the 

 terms of tenure, provided the land is let for market 

 garden purposes, distinctly stated in writing. Under 



