pulation
of independent yeomen is the best reservoir of the manhood of any
country. No finer race has existed than the statesmen who cultivated the
small farms among the hills of Cumberland and Westmorland.

5.--_There is a great deal of land, both on the seashore and in inland
districts, which might be reclaimed._--The cost of such work would be
heavy, but the return in greater aggregate production and in providing
means to support a larger country population would be most important.
This question will be alluded to briefly in Chapter XXI.

6.--_Important industries_, such as basket-making and many others, might
be carried on in rural districts along with their principal work by
those engaged in agriculture or horticulture, just as Swiss peasants by
wood carving, when agricultural operations are impossible, produce a
number of articles for which there is a substantial demand in other
countries.

7.--Last, and perhaps the most interesting and important step of all, is
_to increase allotments._ The demand for allotments, both by the
agricultural population in rural districts and by the urban population
who are engaged in industrial or even in commercial pursuits in the
forge towns, is very keen. The effect of the War and the more pressing
need for home-grown food have stimulated the demand, and in trying to
meet it, both the Board of Agriculture and private individuals and
local authorities have done splendid work, which ought to be recognised
as one of the most beneficial movements which have taken place within
living memory. More than seventy years ago William Howitt called
attention to the advantages derived from the system of urban allotments
adopted near his own town of Nottingham, and attention has been
subsequently drawn to the subject, but its importance was not fully
realised until the outbreak of the War. An enormous advance has already
been made, and if the right steps are taken for securing more permanence
of tenure, and for obtaining land on fair terms near to the homes of the
workers, a far greater and more lasting advance will be made. The number
of allotments in England and Wales before the War was about 570,000. It
is estimated that now there are upwards of 1,400,000. The urban
allotments have increased enormously, an interest has been added to the
lives of many workers; their supply of wholesome food of their own
growing has been increased and the health of these urban workers
promoted. At present th