1 90S.] 



Small Holdings in Hampshire. 



87 



quantities of milk or other produce on rail would be consider- 

 able. In the Romsey district there is a through, line from 

 Southampton, via Eastleigh, to Salisbury in Wilts. From 

 Southampton to Andover the railway line runs along the valley 

 of the Test, where are to be found many small farms entirely 

 devoted to the production of milk and dairy produce. From 

 Andover Junction the main Salisbury to London line proceeds 

 through the villages of Whitchurch, Overton, and Oakley to 

 Basingstoke. 



Types of Holdings. — We may next consider the different types 

 of holdings in the county, beginning with those which have 

 proved to be profitable. These are very varied in character, 

 and it is needless to remark that the success of any small hold- 

 ing depends to a great extent on the capabilities and intelligence 

 of the occupier. 



Strawberry Growing. — Fruit growing, particularly strawberry 

 culture, is an industry which has developed considerably in 

 recent years. The districts suitable to the cultivation of fruit in 

 Hampshire are undoubtedly limited, as so much depends on the 

 aspect and natural adaptability of the soil. The land around 

 Botley, Swanwick, Sarisbury, and on either side of the Hamble 

 river is peculiarly favourable to the early ripening of the fruit, 

 and there are still earlier soils from which much of the first 

 gathering can be placed on the market from a week to ten days 

 before the fruit produced by rival growers in Kent. The 

 majority of small growers in these districts are self-made men, 

 many having commenced as labourers at 18s. to £1 per week. 

 As the question of profitable strawberry cultivation is dependent 

 on so many circumstances, it would be misleading to quote 

 in detail from any individual balance sheet, but a few facts 

 relative to expenditure and receipts will be useful by way 

 of illustration. The cost of freehold land in the Botley district 

 varies from £80 to £120 per acre, while around Sarisbury 

 and Swanwick very little good land can be bought for less than 

 £100 to £150, and considerably higher prices are paid for land 

 known to produce especially early crops. 



All classes of houses are scarce in these districts, and in most 

 cases are the property of growers. Around Botley a few six- 

 roomed houses are let at £12 per annum, exclusive of rates, but 

 in the districts above mentioned a house of like accommodation 



