Low rent means poor farming." Kit knew this was true on the Tarnside estate.

Dykes that had kept the floods off the meadows were falling down, drains were choked, and land that had grown good crops was going sour.

The wise use of capital would make a wholesome change, but Kit did not altogether like centralized control.

Although it was economical, the landlord got the main advantage, and there was much a farmer could do, in cooperation with his neighbors, to help himself, if his lease was long enough.

Then, joint action was once common in the dale.