LARGE OR SMALL FARMS ?
Sin,—In an excellent article on " Large or Small Farms? " in The Spectator of November 17th, Mr. Walston says: " It is undeniable that most farm-workers prefer to work on a large farm where they will be one of a dozen others rather than on a farm where they will be the only paid employee."
I don't believe this is true. For the best type of worker the main incentive to work is provided by the knowledge that his employer knows exactly what he has done. The full recognition of his own personal contribution to the work of.the undertaking is a sufficient reward only attainable on the small type of farm. With only one or two workers it is also easier for an employer to be more generous in providing thaw amenities which count for so much—e.g., a good cottage, free farm produce, good refreshments at busy times and the exclusive right to catch rabbits.
Where the staff is more numerous it is harder to discriminate between them without causing jealousy, and for this reason the best workers often fail to get the extra reward that is their due. In fact; the conversion from all-round skill on a small farm to specialisation on a large one is not consistent with Prof. Trevelyan's conception of agriculture, as " A way of life unique and irreplaceable in its human and spiritual values."—
Yours, &c., A. C. GREG. Acton Bridge, Northwich, Cheshire.
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