1921.] Co-operative Farming on Small Holdings. 1165 



A scheme of co-operative farming by small holders is in 



operation in a Midland county, and it is interesting to learn 



p .. that the experiment so far has met with 



. conspicuous success. The County Council 



„ „ purchased a farm in 1919 for the settlement 



Small Holdings. f • T . , f 



° of ex-Service men. Instead, however, of 



dividing the whole area into small holdings, the Council let one 

 large holding jointly to four applicants. This holding comprises 

 18*2 acres of land, half of which is arable and half pasture, a 

 farmhouse used as a residence by two of the partners, a cottage 

 occupied by another partner, and outbuildings. A rent of £2 

 per acre is paid. 



The tenancy is held by the four partners, one of whom is 

 accepted by the others as leader owing to his knowledge of 

 agricultural work. Capital has been subscribed by each of the 

 men, the leader having placed £1,000 in the fund. Each 

 partner draws a weekly wage, and at the end of the working 

 year part of the profits is divided between them pro rata to the 

 share each has contributed: the balance is used as a reserve 

 fund. 



The holding is managed on strictly business lines. The work 

 is distributed between the partners, two working as horsemen 

 and one as stockman, while the leader assists in the milking, 

 keeps the accounts and acts as general foreman. Hired labour 

 is employed occasionally. 



The live stock consists of 54 head of cattle, including 14 milch 

 cows and a bull, 6 horses and several pigs of good type. There 

 is also a nock of sheep, which at the end of November last 

 was being folded on swedes. It was then proposed to winter 

 48 sheep and fatten 112 for sale. 



About 20 gallons of milk were being sold wholesale daily in 

 the town a few miles from the farm. This provided a weekly 

 income of about £19, which the partners find very convenient 

 for meeting current expenses. The stock and potato crops have 

 realised good prices. 



The success of this co-operative undertaking is due largely 

 to the enterprise and industry of the small holders, to whom 

 all credit is due for the thoroughness with which their work 

 is done. 



