The Survival in Farming. 
265 
such men take a farm in good condition, they often grow satis- 
factory crops for many years. The experience gained in con- 
nection with the luimanured plots at Rothamsted and Woburn 
shows how very slow the decline of fertility is in land kept free 
from weeds. It is not surprising, then, that members of this 
best division of the low farming class often make a good living 
during a long tenancy. But the examples given above show 
that they could produce extra corn and roots at less cost than 
that of what they grow if they applied purchased manure judi- 
ciously ; and, I believe, although actual proof is not easy to 
give, that they would also be better off if they kept more live 
stock and fed the animals well. 
So far as my own experience goes, the farmers who have 
done best, both before and since the depression set in, have 
been those whom I should describe as high, but not extravagant 
farmers. I can call to mind only one low farmer who appeared 
to increase in wealth, though I have known others who have 
held on to their farms surprisingly, " with their noses always 
just over the grindstone. ' But one individual's experience does 
not count for much in relation to such a question as the one 
under notice, and, mindful of the fact, I have obtained from a 
few land and estate agents in extensive practice in different 
counties the results of their observation and their conclusions 
thereupon. 
The questions to which replies were solicited were these : — 
1 . What class or classes of farmers have best withstood the 
effects of agricultural depression in your district : (a) high (I 
do not mean extravagant) farmers, or low farmers ; (b) farmers 
of large (over 300 acres), medium (100 to oOO acres), or small 
(under 100 acres) farms ? 
2. AVhat have been the principal causes of the failure of those 
who have not succeeded, and of the success of those who have 
withstood the depression ? 
In reviewing the replies received, reference to the second 
assertion referred to at the commencement of this article is 
necessary. This question is essentially one to be decided by 
evidence. The definite assertion is made that small farmers 
have withstood the depression better than large farmers. This 
may be true of some districts, and not of others, the question 
being whether it is true as a general rule. In the event of the 
assertion being verified, a further question would arise as to the 
reason why small farmers have withstood the depression better 
than large farmers. 
Two of the most extensive land agents in the north of Eng- 
land, who do not desire their names to be published, give some- 
VOL. II. T. s — 6 ' T 
