The Express.
London, England, 1852-12-29 00:00:00

CENSUS OF IRELAND-Pia.

The following are extracts from the agricultural
returns:

To his seelloncy Archibold William E.irl of Eglinton and
Winton, Lord Lieutenaut-tlentral and Cier.er.i! Cluvernor
of Ireland.

May it please your Ereelleney,—We, the commissioner,
appointed by the I; al of Clarendon to take an account of
the population of Ireland in the year 1841, in conformity
with the provi.ions of the Act 13 and 14 Vie., c. 44, beg to
lay. before your excellency the accompanying returns of
agricultural produce fur that year; the agricultural iaquie
rue having been added to those of the general ecasus, in
conformity with his excellency's desire.
We do not consider it neceisary to enter into any details
so to the manure in which throe inquiries were conducted,
as the forms used, and the instructions issued to the enn-
merato.s, differed but little from thus, filly 4 icritied by
Major fercom in Li, able remarks ou the agricultural re-
turns of 1847 ; and to the same admirable bodice of men,
the constabulary and metropolitan police force. of Ireland,
are we indebted fur the successful prosecution of the pre-
sent inquiries.
In making the following observations the object is to
draw attention to the important facts contained in these
tables, whilst we abstain from expressing any opinirn
upon the causes by which such important ch.diges have
beau produced.

TART I.— mon.
From the acuimparlyiug tables it will appear that the
total number of holdings has continued to decrease. The
entire reduction between the years 1850 and 1651 is
20,100—which is, however, 2,787 less than that which
took place between 1810 and 1853, although at the same
time the returns for 185 l exhibit an increase of 2,402 in
the holdings under one acre.
This lessening ratio of decrease in the total number of
holdings, year by year, is naturally to be expected ; but as
that circuwatance, as well as the gradual increase during
the last two yeses of the smaller clan, is worthy of observa-
tion, the following figures are annexed :
Total Uoidlagg. Holding. not ex. Tlo'nhars exceed.
toadied oae acre. nog one ore.
~..
Igo. Ann. Dec. No. Amine. Se Ann. Deo.
1919.. 631.143 31,919 210,136
970,323 21,933 33,216 3437 393,V3 36,360
1631 ite9,006 20,136 ... 137.722 2.103 ... 670,334 22,333
The Census Commissioners of 1841 onlitted fren, their
returns all holdings not exceeding one acre : and owing to
the difficulty of accurately ascertaining their exact number,
and the fact that occupiers of this class are mingled to
considerable extent with persons not depending on agricul-
ture for their rapport, more particularly in the cinities of
towns, their omission from the number of landholders hem
numerous advantages when treating of the ch•inges in the
division of land which is now in progress in this country ;
yet their importance in other re-poets is so great that a
report of this kind would be imperfect without some none*
of them.
The table presents an apparent anomaly when compared
with the tillaje returns, Lim latter showing An Luereaso is
the total quantity of cultivated land, whereas ti.e forma'
shows a decrease In the number of farms of all classes.
Similar results were observed upon by Major Larcom in
his remarks on the agricultural returns of 18.50, and a
higher classification than 30 acres suggested, In order to do
away with the seeming contradiction• as it is evident that
it arises from the increasing number of farms of a larger
class—farms of 300. 400, and 500 acres absorbing many of
those above 30 acre.," which was the maximum in former
inquiries. An extended ctissification his therefore been
adopted in these returns, dividing the entire number of
holdings above 30 acres in 18.51, into the fire lollowing
classed, viz.:
Above 30 and not exceeding 50 acres
Above 50 and not exceeding 100 „
Above 100 and not exceeding 200 „
Above 200 and not exceeding 500 ~ 7,847
Above 500 acres 1,457
The details of this classification by counties will be found
in the summary tables. This being the first year in which
an exteaded classification was adopted, no comparisons with
former years, having reference to these classes, can at pre-
sent be made. The original returns of the previous yelh
have, however, been carefully preserved, and abstr seta
from them, according to this or any other classiticatoni,
may hereafter be compiled, should the subject be considered
of sufficient importance.
The following table shows the changes which have taken
place in the several classes of holdings exceeding one acre
in extent, between 1541 and 1861 :

140. al
Tit!

No, of

ififila-P
fa 1831.