Agricultural Depression in the 1890s
Report by Mr Aubrey Spencer (Assistant Commissioner) on the vale of Aylesbury and the County of Hertford
Abstract from BOPCRIS
Oral and written evidence obtained from all groups concerned in agriculture including farmers and land agents. Describes the districts. Surveys various agricultural trends since 1880 including farming systems, methods of cultivation, fruit and poultry farming, Scottish and Cornish immigrant farmers, condition of small farms, tenure, rent, improvements and expenditure by landlords, tithes, local rates and taxes, and the impact of the Agricultural Holdings Act. Observes that effects of depression are less marked in Aylesbury than in Herts. In former no land is unlet, but some evidence that farmers there have been adversely effected. In latter, 'the effects of depression are numerous': e.g. failure to let land; fall in selling price of land, and fall in expenditure by tenants. Depression attributed mainly to fall in prices and bad seasons, but unfair railway rates and foreign competition also blamed. Witnesses argued that protection from foreign produce was main alteration needed to end distress, and some also suggested changes to taxation and rates systems.
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