The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1875-01-09 00:00:00

FOUR-ACRE FARMING.

The following letter on this disputed subject has been sent '
to The Times for publication :
Sir,—A. great deal is being said at the meetings o
"Agricultural Associations," and other places, with
regard to the inexpediency and disadvantages of three
and four acre farms, or what is termed farming on a
small scale. Being one of those who for a considerable
number of years have occupied that quantity of land,
I think myself competent to give an opinion on that
branch of farming, whatever the value of that opinion
may be in the estimation of others.
No one whose opinion is worth anything thinks that
for the whole of the land in this country, or for any
large portion of it, to be let in small quantities would
be advantageous; but that a portion in suitable
localities, under certain conditions, should be so let
would be highly beneficial my own experience enables
me confidently to assert. It would be just as absurd
and useless for a person to attempt to cultivate four
acres of land to advantage without sufficient capital
as it would be for one to undertake to cultivate 400
acres without that requisite. Where capital, judg-
ment, and energy are wanting, or any one of them,
farming must necessarily prove is failure, whether it
,be attempted on a lasge or small gCale. •
The man who occupies three or four mares of- land
usuany fattens a number of pigs, which consume a
considerable portion of the produce. If he can dis-
pose of that produce to greater advantage he does so,
and purchases pig food in its place. The manure ob-
tained from that kind of live stock is that by which he
keeps up and increases the productive powers of his
land. An industrious man, possessing energy, would
not be compelled to depend solely on his land, but
would be employed a portion of the summer mouths at
piecework for those who farm on a large scale, and to
whom his services would be truly valuable. This was
the plan adopted by myself for many years. I first occu-
pied one half-acre, which was a great help to me, as I
then had a family of small children and was working
for Bs. 6d. per week. When I succeeded in getting one
acre and a half more land I gave up my regular em-
ployment, and have never had to regret having done so.
Not havinc, capital for the first two years I had severe
struggles to make, as well as to submit to great pri-
vations. I now occupy three acres, one of which is my
own, having purchased it about four years since. -
I am thoroughly convincsd that four acres of land in
a suitable situation to a person who understood how
properly to cultivate it, and who had at his command
£,40 or £5O, would by industry and economy enable
him to bring up a family in a decent, respectable
manner.

It is often said that four-acre farms are badly culti-
vated. That in many cases' no doubt, is true but
that arises from the fact that the wrong persons have
been allowed to occupy them. I know this,—l could
not afford to allow the land Loccupy to go unmanured, or
remain not Well cultivated. As a proof Ido not do so,
my wheat crop last season produced at the rate of over
eighteen sacks per acre, probably a greater quantity
than any large farmer in the neighbourhood, however
well he mfty cultivate his land, was in receipt of.
If three or four acres of land of the right kind con-
veniently situated could be obtained by persons who
possess the requisites for properly cultivating it, I feel
sure it would prove a great boon in the agricultural
districts inasmuch as it would not only afford an op-
portuniey to persons of careful, frugal, and industrious
habits to invest their savings, but could not fail to act
as an inducement for them to do so. Besides, nothing
would be more likely to attach the best and most valu-
able part of the agricultural population to their native
land, and thus prevent their emigrating either to
America or to the Colonies.—l remain, Sir, yours re-
spectfully, • WILLIAM MEAL
Caine, Wiltshire.
Jo 311;411.. 0.,.;

.elsoo ban last) ati