i22 Changes in the Number of Small Holdings, [may. 
the Act has been vigorously administered ever since it came 
into operation, such as Norfolk, Somerset, and Cambridge, the 
unsatisfied demand from suitable applicants still remains a 
very large one, even after three years' hard work* In Norfolk 
3,610 acres are still required for 316 applicants, in Somerset 
11,588 acres for 873 applicants, and in Cambridge 6,510 acres 
for 513 applicants. 
"The Board are bound to see not only that the reasonable 
demands of suitable applicants are satisfied with as little delay 
as possible, but also that the Act is administered in such a way 
that the interests of sitting tenants are not unjustly affected. 
If there had been any ruthless disturbance of sitting tenants it 
would have aroused such a storm of indignation that the 
success of the whole movement would have been jeopardised, 
while if unsuitable men had been placed on the land it would 
inevitably have resulted in a considerable charge being 
thrown on the rates. If the small holdings movement is to be 
the permanent success for which we hope, it is essential that 
it should be carried out with the hearty co-operation of all 
classes connected with the land, and with the minimum 
amount of friction and hardship." 
The Report referred to above shows that considerable pro- 
gress is being made in the provision of small holdings in 
England and Wales, but owing to the 
in the contrary direction which prevents the net increase in 
the number of small holdings from being as great as it would 
otherwise be. This point is discussed at some length in the 
Report on the Acreage and Live Stock Returns for 1910 
The changes which have taken place since 1890 in the 
number of holdings exceeding one acre and not exceeding 
50 acres are shown in Table A on the next page. 
During the two years 1908 to 1910 the net addition of hold- 
ings of this size was 1,482 in England and 144 in Wales, 
making a total of 1,626. This represents a striking change in 
the tendency which these returns had previously exhibited. 
Changes in the 
Number of 
Small Holdings. 
annual transfer of a substantial area of 
land from agriculture to other purposes 
there is at the same time a movement 
(Cd. 5585. Price jjd,). 
