1908.] 



Small Holdings in Hampshire. 



85 



In many districts, the surface of the soil is characterised by 

 the growth of furze, heather, and many species of worthless 

 grasses. To bring these soils into a fit state of cultivation, 

 thorough draining is required, or sub-soiling, accompanied by 

 liberal manuring. 



Markets. — The best markets, however, are by no means to be 

 found near the most fertile land. Although the north of the 

 county doss not offer attractions in the way of soil, there are 

 nevertheless good opportunities for disposing of all kinds of 

 farm produce, more particularly poultry and eggs, for the 

 production of which the soil is admirably suited. The 

 principal markets in this district are to be found around 

 Farnborough, Fleet and Aldershot, while the country around 

 Headley and Grayshot in the east of the county and but a 

 few miles distant from Hindhead in Surrey, has of late years 

 become a fashionable residential district. In the strip running 

 from Basingstoke through Micheldever to Winchester, and in 

 the districts of Andover and Petersfield, there are to be found 

 many large upland farms which are exclusively devoted to the 

 breeding and rearing of sheep, generally Hampshire Downs, 

 and very few mixed or dairy farms exist in these parts, except 

 at lower elevations. This part of the country, therefore, 

 presents but few attractions for the small holder, as regards 

 soil or markets. It is in the Meon and Test valleys and 

 among the water-meadows fed by the Itchen around Winchester 

 and south towards Eastleigh, that dairy-farming flourishes. 



The. area, however, stretching from Romsey in the west, 

 touching Chandler's Ford, Eastleigh, and Bishop's Waltham, to 

 Horndean in the east of the county, and southwards includes 

 an excellent tract of country which should be open for 

 development by the small holder, whose aim it is to make 

 mixed farming a speciality. Numerous small mixed farms, 

 ranging from 30 to 70 acres, already exist in many of these 

 districts, notably around Bishop's Waltham, Romsey, and in the 

 New Forest. These mixed holdings are usually well managed 

 and prove a success, and what produce does not find a local 

 demand is readily marketed in Southampton, Portsmouth, or 

 Bournemouth. Fruit growing, however, is on a different 

 footing. Of recent years this particular industry has assumed 

 large proportions, and the markets which claim the attention 



