1070 



Land Settlement in Denmark. 



[FEB., 



Larger Holdings. — visit was also paid to four farms in the 

 same locality. In size these run from 75 to 85 acres (average 80 

 acres) and, with one exception, are owned by the occupiers. 

 The exception is the case of a son renting from his father : the 

 son entered the farm before the War, and pays a pre-war rent 

 of 33s. 9<i. per acre, although it is generally acknowledged to 

 be worth 67s. ()d. at the present time. (Not far away, and on 

 soil of similar character, an occupant of a 10 -acre holding is 

 paying 84s. /^d. per acre rental.) Rates, in general, come to 

 7s. or 8s. an acre. 



The land is mainly arable and is worked on a seven- or eight- 

 course rotation. Hay is usually taken from the second year 

 grass, and the land is subsequently dunged and half-fallowed in 

 preparation for wheat. Crops in general were good, particu- 

 larly rye and roots, though " seeds " in some cases were thin 

 and lacking in clover. 



Red Danish cows are the main class of stock kept : these 

 are bigger and in better condition than the small holder's cows, 

 and are probably producing more milk. A usual yield is 

 stated to be about 800 gal. per cow per annum. Records are 

 mostly kept, monthly weighings being made by the Control 

 Assistant. 



The cows are tethered at grass fiom May to the end of 

 September, are moved several times a day, and milked thrice. 

 Only one collection of milk is made daily by the factory, but 

 the different milkings are kept separate, and during hot weather 

 the milk is cooled by standing the cans in cold water. 



Winter feed during the War has consisted mainly of roots, 

 straw, and sometimes hay, with either no concentrated 

 food in addition or from 2 to 4 lb. daily per head, according 

 to the supplies which the farmer has himself been able to 

 produce. 



All rye and wheat were taken over by the State, and most 

 of the oats and barley. In regard to the last-named cereals, 

 the Government fixed a quota which it was considered the 

 holding should be able to spare after retaining sufficient for 

 seed purposes and for the horses. Nothing was allowed for other 

 stock, but such quantity as might be produced in excess of the 

 Government requirements could be disposed of by the farmer 

 at his discretion. This provision operated greatly to the 

 disadvantage of occupiers of the lightest soils where rye is the 

 principal crop. 



In legard to cow-carrying capacity, it was found that the 

 average number of cows maintained was 28, approximately 



