456 Allotments and Small Holdings. 
the condition of the cultivators is such as would not be tolerated 
in this countiy. 
Belgium is frequently quoted as a model for ourselves in the 
matter of small holdings, and the production of the smaller 
articles of comparatively high value. Belgium and England 
are, indeed, in some particulars, well suited for comparison, but 
in others for contrast rather than comparison. Thus, Belgium 
and England have each a much greater population for a given 
cultivated area than any other European country ; and the 
number is very nearly the same for a given area in the two 
countries. But, whilst England produces more grain, more 
potatoes, and a greater weight of live-stock, per acre, than 
Belgium, Belgium, on the other hand, gives a greater proportion 
of dairy produce, poultry and eggs, and fruit and vegetables ; 
and small holdings are very characteristic of the portions of the 
country yielding these results. By far the greater number of 
the small holdings are in the light land districts, and in those 
districts the cultivators are, as a rule, not the proprietors. There 
are, however, some small farms in the heavier land districts, and 
here the cultivators are frequently the owners also. It is 
admitted that the larger farms yield a greater produce per acre 
of ordinary farm croirs and stock than the smaller ones. 
Owing to the peculiarities of the soil and climate, especially 
of the great light land district where the small holdings px’evail, 
a very characteristic practice is the growth of two crops in one 
year. Thus, with a light soil, high summer temperature, long 
days, and an open autumn, the growth of what we call “ catch 
crops ” is a very prominent feature. Under these conditions the 
harvest is early, and, after the removal of the grain, a catch crop 
can be taken. After r}’e, turnips are almost invariably taken ; 
turnips or spurrey after other corn crops, or carrots are sown in 
the wheat or flax. Indeed, it is stated that, owing to the adap- 
tation of soil and climate, one-eighth of the whole of the culti- 
vated land grows two crops a year. It is fully recognised in 
Belgium by those officially acquainted with the subject, that the 
success of the small holdings depends very much on the facts, — 
that the soil is easily worked, that the soil and climate are such 
as to favour the practice of catch ci’opping, and that they are also 
favourable for the production of industrial crops, dairy produce, 
poultry and eggs, fruit and vegetables ; whilst the dense popu- 
lation generally, and the large number of towns, afford convenient 
markets for the produce, and for the return of town manures. 
Of course, catch crops are not unknown in our own country, 
but it is only in some of our earliest districts that they could be 
relied upon. This fact is of itself evidence of a very material 
