1920.] 



Farm Settlements. 



preventing the cultivation of certain susceptible varieties 

 which in his opinion are best suited to his land and to his 

 markets. 



Were the planting of susceptible varieties in infected and 

 suspicious districts to be allowed, the free distribution of the 

 crop for any purpose would involve a grave manace to clean 

 areas, and distribution would have to be restricted to markets 

 in districts already infected. This interference with the trade 

 in ware potatoes might inflict more hardships upon growers 

 in infected districts and cause more discontent among con- 

 sumers than does the present policy. 



No alteration of the Regulations is contemplated during the 

 forthcoming season, but the Technical Advisers of the Ministry 

 are giving full consideration to the question of the possibiUty 

 of any alternative pohcy, which might, without introducing 

 other hardships, dispense with those at present entailed, and 

 so be acceptable to the potato industry generally. 



The total area of land acquired to date by the Ministry 

 for Farm Settlements for ex-Service men is 25,693 acres, 

 comprising 15 different properties. Vacant 

 possession of the land will be obtamea as 

 follows [—-Already obtained, 14,480 acres ; by ^Michaelmas, 

 1 92 1, 6,348 acres ; subsequently, 4,865 acres. 



On the profit-sharing settlement at Patrington, which was 

 the first estate acquired, 63 ex-Service men are now employed, 

 37 of whom have completed their 6 months' probationary 

 period, and are, therefore, entitled to share in the profits on the 

 farming operations. The development of the small holding 

 settlement at Holbeach is also in an advanced stage, as 75 

 small holdings have already been let to ex-Service men, and a 

 further 7 men are working on probation on the central farm. 

 The small holders on this settlement have formed a co-operative 

 society afhliated to the Agricultural Organisation Society. 

 Although possession of the estate at Titchfield was obtained 

 only on 29th September last, there are now 78 ex-Ser\ ice men 

 with small holdings, and 38 others employed on the central 

 farm or on the estate work. The principal crop at this settle- 

 ment is strawberries, as the estate is situated in the stra^^■berry- 

 growing district of Hampshire." A C^o operative Society has 

 just been formed. 



