BEDFORD OR GRIQUALAND ?
Two farmers last week were watching sheep-dog trials in Ancipthill Park ; and when the three very obstinate sheep were safely penned by two Westmorland dogs, the two found leisure for more strictly farming business. One, who was English, said to the other, who was from South Africa : " It beats me why you come to England to learn about farming." And he turned to me to explain. " This gentle- man," he said, turning to the South African, " bought his land freehold at £1 an acre and can sell it to-day at £10. He makes a profit of three to four thousand a year in a perfect climate. And this is the man who comes to England to hear about farming ! " It was said with a sort of boisterous humour ; but also with bitter intention. What a deal of land in Britain was worth, say, £30 an acre not long since and is now worth, not £1 an acre, but a minus quantity if the worth of the buildings is reckoned !
* * * *
Previous page
