10 MARCH 1883, Page 13

THE PROSPECTS OF ENGLISH LAND.

(To THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR.")

‘Sra,—Mr. F. Impey remarks that la petite culture is a lost art n England. Can he prove that, apart from pasture dairy- farming and market gardening, it was ever an art at all in this

If it be alleged that peasant-proprietors keep as many head of cattle as our farmers, in proportion to the size of their farms, it must be remembered (supposing the fact to be admitted) that the cattle are kept for ploughing and milking, but not for the butcher. Sheep, absolutely requiring an extensive run and management on a considerable scale, are quite beyond the range of peasant-farming. I repeat the opinion expressed in the con- clusion of my former letter, that it is only by some kind of co-operative association, or by being admitted to some share in the profits of farming operations on a comparatively large scale, that our labourers who elect to remain at home can reasonably hope to improve their material condition in the arable districts

of England.—I am, Sir, &c., W. H. BULLOCK-HALL. Six-Mile Bottom, near Newmarket.