THE HOMECROFT MOVEMENT
[To the Editor of THE SPECTATOR.] recall that in 1925 The Spectator opened a Fund to initiate the trial of the system of land cultivation and housing now known under the above name. The National Homecroft Association was formed and the Cheltenham Homecroft AssoCiation has since established ten Homecrofts which are working satisfactorily. A Homecroft is a cottage with about half an acre of land which the owner or tenant devotes primarily to providing food for family consumption. This time of difficulty and depression is just the time. when Homecrofts should be created all over England. Our Neston and Parkgate Housing Society is establishing sixteen Homeerofts in this semi-urban district differing a little from the Cheltenham ones as we shall let to tenants instead of selling on deferred payment terms and will encourage our tenants to produce poultry and eggs and, in a cold greenhouse, bulbs, lettuces, tomatoes for all of which there is a good local sale. Our cottages will also be somewhat smaller ; the total cost of cottage and freehold land being about 1350. If other Public Utility Housing Societies would create even a few Homecrofts each this year our united experience and, I hope and believe, success might well blaze the trail for larger schemes financed by public funds, e.g., county councils have powers to establish cottage holdings. Even if a Homecroft cost as much as 1400 the rent need not exceed 8s. weekly, plus rates and repairs.—I am, Sir, &c.,
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