DECAY OF FARMING IN ENGLAND

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2820, 8 April 1882, Page 2

DECAY OF FARMING IN ENGLAND

The “ Parmer ” thus refers to a very serious matter:—“ Land going out Of cultivation in England is on the increase. The harvest of 1881 has not done more than to stay the downward course of many an English farmer, but thanks to that prop, and to a splendid season foir sowing the corn, many a' tenant farmer has been induced to try one more season. Then, the first advice we would give is, ‘ Hold your tenants if you can. Better half a tenant than none.’ however, the tenants'have already gone, and the land is going out of cultivation, the question arises, What is it better to do under the circumstances? It is,then, according to those particular pircumr . stances, and to the nature of the land, that we must endeavor, to throw out a few vague suggestions in answer, 7 to the one absorbing , question, which already stares many . landed.. proprietors blankly in the face. Happily there are landed proprietors , in this country, not only careless of the income ; formerly derived from the letting of their land, but able to!draw on their bankers to stock the farms and to farm the land themselves, with a view, not only to keep it in a state of cultivation, but also to prove the present condition, and hold it until suitable tenants with a sufficient capital are again forthcoming. This, then, is doubtless, the best, thing , to be done with the land. It is the original arrangement, when tenant farmers were vassals. It is only beginning again.”