THE LABOURER'S STEPPING--STONES.
LTO THE EDITOR OF THE 'SPECTATOR."] •
your last week's article headed "The Labourer's Stepping-Stones" you express a doubt as to whether a system of small holdings would stop the migration from country to town which is rapidly depopulating many of our agricultural districts. I think the following facts tend to show that it might at least check it. As you are doubtless aware, small holdings are the rule in the Isle of Axholme, of which Epworth claims to be the capital, and is certainly the centre. In 1881 the population of Epworth and the four contiguous parishes of Haxey, Owston, Belton, and Wroot was 7,628. It is now 6,942, a decrease of only nine per cent. I cannot give corresponding figures with regard to any equal number of contiguous rural parishes elsewhere, but from what I know of several other neighbourhoods, I am persuaded that the general decrease of rural populations throughout England during the same period has been much greater than this. Here the decrease has been greatest in Epworth itself, owing, I believe, to the fact that the proportion of tradesmen is greater than in the surrounding villages. I do not doubt that the increased use of labour-saving machinery has reduced the number of agricultural labourers, but the number of holdings is virtually what it was thirty years ago, and the land is equally well cultivated. Moreover, during the years 1891-1901 the number of inhabited houses in Epworth increased from 470 to 479, and has further increased since ; and in the purely agricultural parishes of Haxey and Wroot the population increased considerably. In the whole isle during the same ten years the population rose from 12,936 to 13,324. These figures are at least worthy of consideration in discussing the question you raise.—I am, Sir, &c., C. C. BELL. Epworth.
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