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CHAPTER X.—RENT AND THE CAPITAL EMPLOYED IN 
AGRICULTURE. 
1. Rent of agricultural land.—No information has hitherto 
been officially collected as to the average rent of agricultural 
land in England and Wales, but in connection with the present 
Census it was decided to make an effort to obtain some infor- 
mation on the subject. It was felt, however, that occupiers of 
land would probably be unwilling to state definitely on the 
Agricultural Schedule the rent paid for their farms, and it became 
necessary to fall back on estimates made by the Crop Reporters, 
who by their local knowledge and experience were in most cases 
well qualified to form a reliable opinion on the subject. 
The Crop Reporters were asked to estimate the average rent 
paid in 1925 in their respective districts for eight different sizes 
of holding, distinguishing in each case between (1) holdings 
mainly arable (70 per cent. and over arable land), (2) holdings 
mainly pasture (70 per cent. and over pasture), (3) mixed holdings 
lying between these two groups, (4) fruit and vegetable farms 
and (5) poultry farms. In addition, enquiries were made as 
regards rough grazings. The results for each division in 
England and Wales are summarised briefly in Table 27 in 
the Appendix and show that on the average of the whole 
country the rent of arable, pasture and mixed farms as estimated 
in 1925 was approximately 31s. per acre. Fruit and vegetable 
holdings averaged 82s. per acre, while poultry holdings averaged 
64s. per acre, whichis a very similar figure to that assigned for the 
group of holdings of 1 to 5 acres, excluding these special farms. 
The distinction between holdings mainly arable and mainly 
pasture brought out a rental difference of some interest, as will 
be seen from the following table, which shows the average rents 
per acre paid on holdings of different types and sizes in England 
and Wales. 
The main feature of this table is the higher rent paid for 
holdings mainly pasture as compared with holdings mainly 
arable. The mixed holdings naturally occupy an intermediate 
position. 
The difference in the rent per acre paid for holdings of different 
sizes is to a great extent the result of the variation in the demand 
for small and large holdings and to the fact that the former are 
for the most part found in the neighbourhood of towns. In 
addition, the rent paid is in respect not only of the land farmed 
but also of the farmhouse and farm buildings, including cottages 
on the holding, and therefore ag holdings decrease in size the cost 
of buildings necessitates a higher average rent per acre, even 
allowing for the absence of house or buildings on a large pro- 
portion of holdings under 20 acres.