In fine, they
beat the small grower at every point; they undersell him at Covent
Garden; they outbid him for desirable garden-land within reach of
London. It may be said that in growing plain vegetables the small
gardener would not be at such a disadvantage. I will reply (without
detailing all my observations) that I have seen the same gentleman-
gardener growing a two-acre plot of early radishes, and that he
completely spoilt early radishes for all the small gardeners.
The advocates of peasant-proprietors have thought cowkeeping hopeful
for small men. In my experience dairies of fifty or sixty cows have
an enormous advantage; they can have perfectly designed dairies; they
have enough cream to make butter daily throughout the year (which
saves much trouble, loss, and occasionally inferior butter); they can
maintain approximately a uniform supply. In short, they beat,
undersell, and displace the small cowkeepers wherever the large dairy
is moderately well managed.
The cottager or peasant-proprietor has, I believe, an advantage in
poultry of all kinds. When poultry are kept in very large numbers
they are more liable to disease, and the diseases are more
disastrous--sweeping off the whole large stock. Fowl and egg farming
is one of the most successful, perhaps the most successful point with
the French peasant-proprietors.
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