igog.] Strawberry Growing in Hampshire. 187 



Condition of Soil. — The adaptability of the soil to the 

 growth of strawberries was a surprise even to those skilled 

 in horticultural matters. The greater portion of the land 

 was unsuitable for farming, and large areas were covered 

 with furze and heather. Much of this heath land is now, 

 however, being gradually acquired and broken up, and where 

 plantations have been made, every sign of strong healthy 

 growth is to be observed. The soil in this district assumes 

 many different characteristics, and may consist of a sandy 

 peat mixed with flints, varying in size from a marble to a 

 hen's egg, while the small quantity of loam originally pre- 

 sent has been washed away, giving the surface of the soil the 

 appearance of a bed of flint stones. The greater portion of 

 the subsoil is sand and gravel, but in some districts the 

 gravel does not extend downwards to any appreciable depth. 

 Last autumn I noticed a black, peaty soil, originally water- 

 logged, being surface drained, and in portions of the ground 

 already planted the plants seemed to be thoroughly at home. 

 Expert horticulturists maintain that strawberries require a 

 rich loamy, or, in more familiar language, a " fatty " soil, but 

 soils embodying these characteristics are of very rare occur- 

 rence in these districts. 



Value of Land. — It' is obvious that much of this common 

 land was of little value some thirty or so years ago, but since 

 reports have been circulated as to the large profits to be 

 derived, the price has gradually increased to such an 

 extent that it is no uncommon occurrence for land in close 

 proximity to a railway station, or so situated as to be produc- 

 tive of early crops, to command a price of ,£200 per acre, 

 while very ordinary-looking plots are in keen demand at from 

 ;£ioo to ^150. Similarly, land may be rented at from £2 t° 

 £$ per acre, much of this land having been originally let for 

 arable farming at from 10s. to £1 per acre. 



Farmers who possess moderately large farms are now 

 extensively engaged in this industry, and in such cases the 

 rent of land under strawberries will not exceed £1 per acre, 

 whereas the small holder will be paying up to £5 per acre 

 for similar ground. It may safely be assumed that land has 

 now reached its maximum value in these districts. 



Small Holdings. — Many of the larger areas have been 

 divided into small holdings or plots varying in size from 



