94 
Small Holdings. 
Allotments on the Stratton estate of the extent of twenty- 
poles each were largely made available for the labourers nearly 
eighty years ago. At the present time there are one hundred 
and twenty, of which a few are held by some of the village small- 
tradesmen ; but the number shows no tendency to increase, 
although the available land is situated close to the villages, con- 
taining a purely agricultural population of about 1,400, and 
produces good crops. The reason doubtless is that the cottages 
built by the Earl of Northbrook have large gardens attached to 
them in all cases, and their occupiers have sufficient leisure to 
cultivate only these to advantage. No demand under the Acts 
of 1887 and 1890 has been received. All the rents of the 
allotments are promptly paid, and they have undoubtedly proved 
successful, but only as adjuncts to the support of the labourers’ 
families ; in no case have they contributed to the advancement 
of the labourer to the position of a tenant farmer. 
The general conclusion from the workings of the Stratton 
estate small tenancies seems to indicate that the objects of the 
legislation of 1887, 1888, 1890 and 1892 are scarcely likely to 
be realised under the present hard conditions of agriculture ; 
and it is not unreasonable to anticipate that, if the depression 
be accentuated, the wages of individual labourers must fall, and 
a further impetus consequently be given to the immigration 
into the towns. 
Thomas Stirton. 
West Stratton, Micheldever, Hants. 
MANAGEMENT OF ABERDEEN ANGUS 
CATTLE. 
With slight variations the general systems of management of 
pedigree breeding herds of cattle, whatever the breed may be, 
must of necessity be very much alike. Consequently, although I 
have in this paper to deal with the management of an Aberdeen 
Angus herd, much of what I have to say is undoubtedly applic- 
able also to other breeds, and therefore it may to some readers 
appear to be stale and unprofitable. However this may be, 
there can be no doubt that the first and main object of all 
breeders is the production of high-class calves — of calves that 
will add to the value of the herd, and that will maintain and 
perpetuate the special properties of the breed. 
