84 
Wild Birds Useful and Injurious. 
chickweed, and of plants allied to the deadnettle. Numerous 
insects and a few berries also form part of its diet, and it is, 
therefore, a bird which may well be encouraged, except in occa- 
sional circumstances. 
Charles F. Archibald. 
Rusland Hall, Ulverston. 
SMALL HOLDINGS. 
Probably none of the English industries excites at the present 
time so much anxious thought as that of Agriculture. Indeed, it 
is impossible to overestimate the gravity of its present condition ; 
but, unfortunately, while the depression is already sufficiently 
marked, it does not yet seem to have reached its limit. To 
enumerate the lamentable effects already evident may be unne- 
cessary, but it may, notwithstanding, help to a clearer definition 
of the position of affairs. Large tracts of land have gone out 
of cultivation, rents have suffered serious reduction, rural 
districts are witnessing an appreciable decline in the able-bodied 
population, and, as the worst resulting feature of all, the sources 
of native food-supply are dangerously diminishing. 
Although it is considered by many that there is little 
hope of relief by legislative means, yet legislation has been 
much invoked within the past few years. The exodus of agri- 
cultural labourers from country districts, one of the chief effects 
of the depression, has brought the question of re-creating small 
ownerships and tenancies more particularly forward for parlia- 
mentary consideration. But, although it has been urged that, 
farming being nearly profitless, it is useless attempting to re- 
create either the one or the other, nevertheless, possibly in hope 
of better times, attempts to do so are continued. It may not, 
therefore, be without interest to examine more exactly the 
reason for the migration of the labourers, the attempts to retain 
them upon the land, and the practical results of such attempts, 
so far as they may be ascertained or anticipated. To do this 
it is necessary to take a brief retrospect of the period from when 
the small-proprietary system seemed firmly established to the 
time of its extinction, and, incidentally, to notice the causes of 
the extinction. 
Historical Retrospect. 
To look backward no further than the seventeenth century, 
where historic proof can establish the fact, the greater part of 
