566 



Small Holdings in Lancashire. 



[NOV., 



bring the dung which was under the potato rows close to the 

 young plants. Under favourable circumstances the ground is, 

 soon after the potato crop is marketed, almost completely 

 covered again with a thriving crop. Returns under this system 

 vary, of course, according to the markets and the earliness of 

 the potato crop. Under the best conditions as much as £45 

 per acre must frequently have been made in recent years, while 

 £37 per acre may be looked upon as a fair average result. These 

 figures refer, of course, to the two crops produced in one year, 

 but occurring on the same land only once in five years. 



Disposal of Crops. — Almost the whole of the produce 

 from this district, including potatoes, vegetables, grain, 

 hay, and straw, is disposed of to dealers, by whom it is 

 despatched mainly to Lancashire and Yorkshire towns. It 

 is delivered by the grower to the nearest railway station. 

 In many seasons, however, large quantities of cabbages are 

 sent from the district to the London markets, in fact, a 

 London demand is considered essential for a good trade. The 

 extension of this system of cropping has resulted in increased 

 facilities for disposing of the produce. Formerly salesmen 

 came out from the large towns to purchase their supplies ; 

 now there are many agricultural produce merchants who 

 reside and have their main offices and warehouses in the district. 

 Some of these merchants, natives of the district, have built 

 up extensive businesses and have temporary branches in the 

 Channel Islands during the early potato season and in other 

 parts of the country. 



Factors in the Success of Small Farms in this District. — From 

 an agricultural point of view the whole district is undoubtedly 

 favoured in many ways, and the following may be taken to 

 be the main points conducing to the success of these small 

 farms : — 



(1) Fertility of Soil. — The soil is naturally fertile and is 

 especially suited to the cultivation of potatoes and market 

 garden crops. The climate is also equally favourable. 



(2) Proximity of Populous Centres and Good Markets. — The 

 numerous Lancashire towns and some of the Yorkshire ones 

 provide a ready outlet for the produce, though, as has already 

 been stated, some of it goes much further afield. The towns 

 also provide a supply of dung for use on the farms, to such an 



