1908.] Small Holdings in Hampshire. 



93 



farms in the district. The prices paid by farmers vary 

 considerably, being influenced by the conditions of soil, 

 freeness from weeds, yield of produce, &c, but the following 

 prices may be taken as representing a fair average : Flat 

 hoeing, 65. to 7s. per acre ; singling mangels, ys. to 8s. per 

 acre ; singling swedes, 5s. to 6s. per acre ; hand cutting 

 (fagging) wheat, 10s. to 15s. per acre, or a heavy crop badly 

 laid may cost £1 per acre ; shocking, from is. to 2s. per acre ; 

 mowing grass, ys. to 9s. per acre ; mangel pulling, 8s. per acre. 



Others not engaged in these operations find employment in 

 hay-tying, thatching and hurdle making, while birch-broom 

 making has developed into quite a flourishing industry m this 

 locality, Tadley brooms finding their way to all parts of the 

 country. Locally these brooms are retailed by the makers at 

 2s. 6d. to 3s. per dozen. 



Here as in many other places throughout the county the houses 

 and land are the freehold property of the occupiers, having 

 been acquired through the assistance of a local Friendly Society 

 or some other Institution. The soil around Tadley is variable 

 in character, and is mostly heavy clay, although in some 

 places 18 inches to two feet of good loamy soil is to be found. 

 •Other parts again are very gravelly and sandy, so that the rent 

 of land varies from 15s. to 30s. per acre. 



A few years ago land could be purchased for £20 per acre, 

 but of recent years prices have advanced considerably. Three- 

 roomed cottages can be rented at from £4 to £5 per annum. Six- 

 roomed houses with gardens of J to 1 acre are to be rented at 

 from £10 to £12. Although a large assortment of fruit trees are to 

 be seen in the gardens, they are mostly neglected, cow and pig 

 keeping being the usual source of profit. 



In conclusion it may be said that in most parts of the county 

 there appears to be ample opportunity for the development of 

 mixed holdings by men who have been brought up on the land 

 and know the practical side of their business. The town-bred 

 man must of necessity have an uphill struggle, though his 

 business capacity or training might stand him in good stead. 



Above all things it must be emphasized that the success . 

 or failure of additional small holdings in this county will 

 depend to a great extent on the system of co-operation 

 adopted. If an enlightened co-operative movement could be 



