RURAL REBUILDING.
[TO THE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR." J
SIR,—Having just read your article on " Rural Rebuilding," it occurs to me you may be interested to hear my experiences in this matter. About fifteen years ago I got my landlords to build a pair of cottages on a farm about twenty miles from London, and one mile from a public-house. I then asked several of the men how much garden they would like if living there, and they all agreed that twenty rods each was as much as they could manage profitably. I accordingly allotted one quarter of an acre around the pair of cottages. I am still paying 5 per cent. interest on the cost of building, besides rates and taxes, but have never charged the men more than 2s. a week for the twenty rods of ground (which is good), and cottage with three bedrooms.
Seven years later I did the same thing on another farm, six miles from the above, and found these men of the same opinion as to quantity of ground. I also have another farm, some ten miles from this, on which there are five allotments of about the same size.
I have made various efforts to help my men by offering them wheat, &c., at wholesale prices ; but notwithstanding this, I have never been asked for any ground to cultivate, nor do I believe that any of those in my employ wish for it. On the contrary, I have offered them odd corners of fields rent-free, which have always been refused with thanks, and this at a time when the land paid for cultivation.
Am I now to be called upon to pay increased rates to provide these men with land which they do not want ? And then, if they take it, am I still to provide them with employment in the winter months, when I do not want them, and lose part of their services at the time of year when they are most useful It should be remembered that a good labourer can have as much overtime or piecework as he likes at the time of year his .allotment would require special attention.—I am, Sir, &c., ARTHUR M. REMSLEY.
The Rectory, Enfield, November 2nd.
Previous page
