Country Life
VANISHING ORCHARDS.
Many of those most closely concerned—as historians, as farmers, as merchants—are alarmed at the disappearance of the orchard most characteristic of the West Country ; and the question is more curiously bound up with our system of tenure and, it must be added, taxation than will be readily appreciated by those who have not studied the subject. In the eighteenth century a system of long lease- holds prevailed, and thanks to it leaseholders were encouraged to plant fruit trees, and did. When that system came to an end planting began to decrease ; and to-day has almost ceased. No one has the temerity to plant. The farmer may not remain long enough to reap the fruits. He may obtain leave in writing from his landlord and this ensures compensa- tion upon his tenancy ; but this prospect alarms the overbur- dened owner, who cannot face a threatened bill for heavy compensation. The result is that cider orchards which once covered the West Country steadily disappear. Already there is not fruit enough for more than half the cider made in England.
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