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The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 65

On the Size of Landed Properties

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On the Size of Landed Properties.

The size of a holding in the country should depend upon:—
1.The richness or poorness of the soil. The richer the soil, the smaller the holding; the poorer, the larger.
2.The climate and crops. If the crops, as vines, &c., require much human and hand labour, the holding should be small.
3.The number of the non-agricultural population, the miners and merchants, in the country. With a large population of such, as in England, there may be room for large farms.
4.The number of the agricultural population. With a numerous population, chiefly agricultural, farms must be small, as there is no room for large ones.page 205
5.The amount of intelligence possessed by the people. The want of intelligence may preclude the finding of a sufficient number of farmers for the farms, and their keeping them even when found.
6.With freetrade and among nations whose people are not averse to seek new seats, the competition of these nations bears on the sizes of farms. Large farms in America, and labour-saving machinery, go far to compel to the same elsewhere.
7.The size of a farm may also depend to some extent on the distribution of capital among the agricultural class. If there are many farmers of moderate means wanting farms, then moderately-sized farms should be forthcoming to suit them. This, however, is not easy to be compassed when houses and other costly improvements exist on the farm. A farmer capitalist, if enterprising, must then usually endeavour to possess himself of more than one farm.

It is to be noted further, that in all systems of farming the time of the cultivator should be fully employed.

That a dependence on mining, manufactures, and commerce is less sure than agriculture, though a part of all is best. That large holdings give their owner a page 206 certain power over his fellows, whilst smaller holdings, if the people are moral, conduce, it is thought, to independence and spirit. Yet small holders may associate, and exert power, and impoverish the country. With leased lands and high rents, this is almost impossible.