SMALL HOLDINGS.
[To THE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR:] SIR,—You are perfectly right when you say, "The happiest agriculturist in England is the man who, earning 12s. a week for perhaps three-fourths of his time, has an acre and a half besides, which he and his wife can cultivate in their leisure." It is the general opinion amongst all the labourers about here to whom I have talked, that land without weekly wages in addition will do them no good. On Lord Carnarvon's estate every cottage has a garden of a quarter of an acre attached to it, and allotments of half an acre or more besides for all who like. And this plan answers remarkably well.' Lord Carnarvon has also some twenty or more small grass holdings of under thirty acres. On all of these cows are kept. But in every single case the occupiers do some work besides. For example :-1 is a bricklayer, and lets out a pony and cart ; -2 is a plasterer ; 3 is a wood-dealer ; 4 does hauling; 5 is a helper in stables ; 6 is a wood-dealer ; 7 is a painter and day-labourer; 8 is a bricklayer; 9 has a private income ; 10 is a carpenter ; 11, 12, and 13 are publicans; 14 and 15 are blacksmiths ; 16 is a pig-butcher ; 17 is a carpenter ; 18 is a shoemaker ; 19 keeps the post-office ; 20 has a private income. We are likely to be badly off this winter owing to agricultural depression, and the inability of farmers and gentry to employ more labour than is absolutely necessary. The gardens and allotments will ease the pres- sure of poverty ; but were there not hope of better times and more work, no one would stay on and trust to them only. Any " ransom " of Mr. Chamberlain's that impoverishes the wage-paying classes will most certainly re-act on the labourer, who, moreover, as soon as he comes to pay his rates himself, and not through his landlord, will have a word to say upon the present incidence of local taxation, which makes real property pay some twenty per cent. more than personalty towards expenses imposed by Parliament. This, with free imports of corn and meat, is manifestly unjust to those who embark their money in land instead of in stocks and shares.—I am, Sir, &c.,
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