How many and various : and how highly skilled village arts
and crafts exist, and even in a small way flourish, the most thoroughgoing countryman is hardly aware. But it is all down in black and white in four volumes published at intervals in the last year or two by the Oxford University Press, under the. title of The Rural Industries of England and Wales. The survey, "directed by Mr. C. S. Orwin, the thoughtful Director bf Agricultural EconOmics at Oxford, was mostly carried out by women, Who 'did the work with affectionate 'thoroughness. My own feeling is that even those who directed this survey, even those_who are busy with the organization, are not themselves quite hopeful enough about the future of the village industrY. Tht•number Of 'people is steadily increasing who search for an individuality" of work not to be found in the wholesale product. I know humble village blacksmiths who have admiring clients Es many as 200-miles: away ; and this desire for real handi- Work is being greatly assisted, and will be yet Morethoroughly assisted; by the motor car. Village shops equipped, not
with antiquities, 'but with the best 'triodern work; are
going to be' very popular' with the iniMezie army of motor travellers, who already buy much" "of their fruit" and flowers by the roadside i and rare thus' restoring the 'days of the local Market. • •
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