i9io.] 



Small Holdings in Surrey. 



worked up a dairy connection, carting his milk for some miles 

 round. Another grows produce for his shop in the suburbs 

 of London. Another has a few cows, makes butter, has 

 planted 3 acres with all kinds of fruit, and has an apiary 

 of 27 bee-hives. Others have erected greenhouses, and go in 

 largely for growing market-garden produce and fruit, which 

 is sold to tradesmen in Redhill and Reigate. In one case, a 

 holder has made small ponds and streams on his holding, and 

 cultivates aquatic plants and rare fish with success. 



There is an attempt amongst the most successful holders 

 at co-operation on a small scale. One, for a commission, 

 carts and sells the produce for his fellow-holders, to tradesmen 

 in Redhill and Reigate twice a week. Another keeps two or 

 three horses and a waggon, and has undertaken to cart, 

 plough, and make hay for them, at low rates. Another 

 keeps a cart and horse, and conveys his neighbours to 

 Holmwood station for a small fixed charge. When any of 

 them require extra labour, they usually engage the services 

 of one or two of the other small holders for a small wage. 

 One man has gone in for poultry keeping, and has 500 to 

 600 fowls, but finds the cold soil does not suit them. A large 

 amount of the produce is consumed by the holders themselves. 

 Those who have sunk much capital in the land in the way of 

 improving the heavy soil, erecting greenhouses, planting 

 fruit trees, and the growing of market garden produce, are 

 probably doing best ; and those who have used their holdings 

 successfully for what they were intended, are mostly men with 

 some previous knowledge of agriculture. 



The general results of the undertaking seem to be : — (1) 

 That some thirty or forty proprietors have taken the place of 

 one farmer, who could not work the land at a profit. (2) That 

 the new owners are, on the whole, healthy, and fairly 

 prosperous. (3) That the shareholders may expect to receive 

 back their capital intact, and have a surplus to spend on the 

 estate in road-making or other improvements. 



Some of the occupiers complain of the small return for their 

 outlay, but speaking generally most of them seem so far 

 contented with their venture. 



