396 
Small Holdings in Cornirall. 
On many large holdings, for lack of capital, or security for the 
capital that should be invested, the amount expended on labour is 
insufficient to secure the best results. By reducing large farms, — 
carving out of them small holdings, — the farmer in most cases could, 
as before the reduction, profitably continue the same expenditure 
on labour. 
It only remains to inquire what will be the probable social 
effect on the towns. If by the increase of small agricultural hold- 
ings young men are induced to remain in the rural districts, instead 
of as hithei'to migrating to the towns, one of the first effects must 
be to lessen the competition there for work, with the result that a 
large number now unable to find employment, living in destitution 
and wretchedness, at once a disgrace and a menace to our civilisa- 
tion, would be able to obtain it. 
The general effect on pauperism should be materially to lessen its 
percentage. According to a Parliamentary Return recently pub- 
lished, there are in England and Wales 99,534 able-bodied paupers, 
the large majority, we presume, being found in our towns and cities. 
The general effect of retaining the rural population in the country 
should be to materially lessen this number. 
Possibly it may be asked, “ What would be the effect on the 
great body of present occupiers of land ? Already in many, nay 
in most parts, there is a real scarcity of efficient agricultural labourers 
and servants. If the best arc enabled and induced to become 
occupiers on their own account, will not this make matters woi'se ?” 
We think the contrary effect w'ould follow, — that a better supply 
of efficient labour would result from any measures that made the 
rural districts more attractive. Of such measures, the provision of 
a sufficient supply of small agricultural holdings is one, and the pro- 
vision of better dwellings is another. 
Evidently a system that would retain young men in the rural 
districts, and offer them inducements to work their way up to a 
better position, would be an immense advantage to all concerned, 
especially as compared with the present system, the tendency of 
which is to drive the most energetic and enterprising of the 
labourers away from the land. 
J. W. Lawry. 
RECENT AGRICULTURAL PUBLICATIONS. 
The works which form the subject of this notice are all of foreign 
origin, two of them being translations. They are reviewed in the 
following order : — 
1. Parasitic diseases of animals. 
2. Agricultural chemistry in France. 
3. The external form of the horse. 
4. Guides to the age of live stock. 
5. Animals injurious and useful in agriculture. 
