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The Future of British Agriculture. [Aug., 



way to the adoption of proved methods of increasing the output 

 from the land. They affect the whole range of the farmer's 

 business. I might insist, for instance, on the value of milk- 

 records as the only test whether a cow is paying her way, or 

 of co-operation in buying, selling and distribution. Or I might 

 preach the advantages of establishing, on a commercial basis, 

 those rural industries, by which, during the dead season on the 

 land, agricultural workers might earn an adequate livelihood. 

 Or I might urge the boon which would be conferred on agri- 

 culture, if a standard of economic efficiency in organization 

 were formulated, and adapted to varying units of land or local 

 conditions, so as to supply a test by which each individual 

 farmer might check the economic efficiency of his own manage- 

 ment. Or I might dwell on the need for supplying agricultural 

 credit, and suggest the trial of one or other of the various 

 continental methods. But, on this head, let me remind you 

 that our system of landlord and tenant is, in effect, a practical 

 means of supplying credit facilities. When a tenant takes a 

 fully equipped farm, he virtually receives a substantial loan at 

 the very moderate rate of interest which is represented by the 

 rent. 



Though I do not discuss the economic factors in the problem , 

 I cannot get away from them. They crop up everywhere. 

 They will not take " no " for an answer. They are specially 

 important in regard to my first point. I shall steer as clear 

 as possible of politics. But obviously, this reason for thinking 

 that the future of British agriculture lies' in tillage, namely, 

 that tillage alone will satisfy the demands of the community, 

 raises a number of social, political and economic questions. 



The use to which agricultural land is put is no longer the 

 private concern of owners and occupiers. It has become a 

 matter in which the nation is vitally interested. This principle 

 has, I believe, come not only to stay, but to exercise a growing 

 influence. The needs of the community will have to be 

 seriously considered. On the kind and quantity of the produce 

 which is raised from the soil, and on the amount and remunera- 

 tion of the labour that is employed, the nation will make its 

 voice increasingly heard. Unfortunately, there is, at the pre- 

 sent moment, for economic reasons, a sharp antagonism 

 between the interests of the nation and of farmers. While the 

 nation is intent on increased production, the farmer is cud- 

 gelling his brains how to make arable farming pay, and secure 

 some return on his capital. 



