Nevertheless and notwithstanding, signs of revival pop up like Jacks-in-the-box
from many unexpected quarters. For example : in Hertfordshire a few farms are vacant, and some are let at the nominal rent of 8s. 6d. an acre. A great many ex-arable acres are now grass or what is alleged to be grass. Several wide spaces have become sheep-runs. Yet at their latest meeting the Agricultural Committee of the Hertford- shire County Council discussed at great length the accounts of a particular small-holder, whose success appeared to appal a certain number of the members. Extremely precise accounts and " costings " were kept by the farmer, who is a tenant of the County Council. To give the barest outline, on fifty-four acres he made a net profit for the years 1925 to 1928 of the respective sums of £177, £268, £262 and £410. The cropping included grass land, wheat, barley, oats, hay, sugar beet, potatoes, Brussels sprouts and other vegetables. Cows, pigs and poultry are kept. The tenant's own labour (at 31s. a week) and his wife's have been reckoned in the accounts. The profit is therefore net in the strictest sense of the word. The live stock, which consumed most of the grain and fodder grown on the farm, were the surest and steadiest source of income.
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