Notes , Communications and Reviews. 
443 
by a far closer connection than exists between the parts of 
most books that are written as such, and this merit of Mr. 
Hall’s book is associated with its other merits. The author 
had a very definite object in view when he set out on his 
pilgrimage, and although it took a considerable part of three 
years to carry out that object, it was not changed in the 
slightest, nor was the enthusiasm with which it was pursued 
diminished. “ Men mostly learn by example,” says Mr. Hall, 
“by looking over the hedge.” Well, this book contains an 
account of what was seen during one of the longest and most 
thoughtful looks over the hedge that has ever been taken in 
the history of British agriculture. The eyes which looked 
were all the time those of the practical farmer. Other objects 
would undoubtedly invite their inspection, but they are not 
introduced here, and there is not a sentence that has not a 
bearing on practical problems in farming. Within this 
wisely restricted range of what is immediately interesting 
to farmers there is a remarkable clearness and accuracy of 
observation and what is seen clearly and fully is reproduced as 
clearly and fully in simple and appropriate language that 
brings the picture within the reach of the plainest man who 
knows and cares anything about agriculture. 
For everyone, no matter how wide his knowledge of the 
country may be, this book will change a vague and general 
impression about farming methods pursued in many parts into 
knowledge clear and definite enough to be of interest and 
assistance. During the three years 1910, 1911, 1912, almost 
every important district in the kingdom was surveyed, from 
Cornwall in the south to the fertile and well farmed portion of 
East Rosshire in the north. Not even Ireland is missed. 
There is no attempt to give exhaustive local information. No 
single man could acquire and impart such information, and no 
single book could contain it, but the principles, according to 
which appreciation of good farming is here expressed and 
criticism of inferior farming offered, are everywhere applicable. 
Criticism ranges from the sympathetic chiding of men whose 
“farming is unprogressive and unenlightened” to the frank 
and repeated condemnation of the “ bad farming which pays 
by cutting down expenditure to a minimum and making a 
profit of all that can be skimmed off the land.” With the 
discriminating appreciation and criticism which it contains the 
further this book goes the more it will stimulate landlords, 
farmers and even labourers to higher achievement. 
With reference to the relations of these three classes 
interested in agriculture Mr. Hall has some remarks to offer. 
From what he saw of the Land Court in Ireland he is not pre- 
possessed in its favour. Taking the test of the part they 
