WHERE SMALL-HOLDERS FLOURISH.
Some six thousand acres of this rich land was bought by the Government in 1919. The last of the leases owned by bigger farmers are now falling in ; and the whole (except a piece across the River Nene, which has been sold) will soon be divided up into small-holdings. Building is going on apace, and old farm buildings are being split and adapted for two, three, or four small-holders. Applications from good men pour in. As many as twenty were recently received for one vacant holding ; and the Commissioners have already at Sutton Bridge and Holbeach as many as five hundred tenants in all, about a half being genuine small farmers. The Government built at the most expensive moment and lost much money ; but since the reorganization of the capital, as it would be called in a strictly financial undertaking, the money spent on development is earning about three per cent. ; and the land under the small man is producing crops and stock on a more intensive system than anywhere in Britain.
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