Land Hunger
The market in English, perhaps also British, farms gives a striking illustration of the Kipling motto that " civilisation is transportation." Land hunger is general, and in consequence farms, especially small farms, are selling at an almost fantastic price. The demand is far in excess of the supply, since even the ignoramus from the town is competing. Yet there is one class of exception. Farms with a bad approach and no neighbouring bus are difficult to sell at all even at a low price, gener- ally for the reason that no woman will consent to live in such isolation. This is particularly evident in wilder districts, such as the lakes of both Westmorland and Cumberland. Yet even in the rather rougher fell farms profits may be high beyond precedent, as some figures known to me give proof. Though such sheep as the Herdwicks, almost exclusive favourites in some districts, carry the very worst wool, coarse in texture and not very abundant, they have seldom, if ever, yielded such good returns, and their fleeces make a considerable contribution. Some of the less acces- sible farms seem likely to be wholly derelict. Will anything be done by central authorities to maintain their contribution to the national wealth ?
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