The daily gazette., 1879-05-31


AGRICULTURAL DEPRESSION IN
ENGLALD.-The depression in agricul-
ture is quite as remarkable in Europe as
in this country ; and there as here
causes depression in all other pursuits.
The Cincinnati Gazette, holding close
connection with the great farming re-
refers to this matter and quotes from
several English newspapers, and the
discus ion of the subject cannot fail to
be interesting. 1t says
The agricultural interests of England
are in very bad way; but where the
trouble originates and how it is to be
cured are questions to which there are
many and conflicting answers. In sew
eral of its recent issues the London
Times has devoted much space to letters
on the subject, which are interesting as
the expressions Of intelligent men, and
sometimes for the real, If partial, light
which they throw upon the matter.
Among these writers is Mr.. Brand,
Speaker of the House of Commons, a
large landowner, anu, evidently, a just
and humane person. 'In consideration
of the exceptional pressure of the times"
he lately directed his steward to make a
liberal abatement in the rents due to
him, avowing, however, his conviction
that the existing severity would not con-
tinue. lie based this idea, first, on the
fact that the harvests during the last
four years had been exceptionally bad
second, on the arrangement of the meal
market.
a Mr.. Brands theory is combatted by
: Mr.. Arthur Arnold, who claims that las
years wheat crop was one ofthe best fo
several years, and a full average one
S and that through the importation o
e American meat the market is likely Il
q remain permanently deranged. Ill,
cites Cards Landed Interest to prove
: that there cannot be more than transi
y tory rise in the price of wheat, since tin
4 American farmer is willing to worl
harder than his British competitor, ant
=, there are vast regions of Asia wher
wheot can be cheaply bought, and cheap
If ly transported as soon as certain feasibl
y provisions for shipments shall be made
The practical way, in his estimation, {
increasing the capital engaged i'll agrl
IL culture would be for the poorer classe
II of farmers to diminish their holding
= and to contribute greater share of pc
SO lal labor to the farm. He does II,
r propose to dc away with large farms a
ne together, though it RETAINS fact TIL
~ not one farmer in hundred can afiol
a. to be fully equipped with steam al
horse machiney. He wO lid not ha
ey renis reduced, but have the Engli
g, farmers, like those of the Island of Je
as sey, go TO work, and not waste the
ia powers on eyes-service.
N g." An Accidental Holder of Land
Us, as he styles himself, says that his farI
he bring him on an average about % I
so cent. per annum. He might have sc
them any time during the past ten YET
1ie and put the proceeds into personal
de, yestments, which have realized from s
bly, 10 per cent. He did not need the mi
ey, however, and the property has b,
so long in his family that he does
"Ns like to part with 1t.
and "a Landlord anda Tenant" attribu
ros- the existing depression to the increa
how cost of labor, occasioned by the fl
~, times of lS69-74; to increased rents
my the reduction in the value of farm
wer duce ; to the more expensive style of
ing of the farmers, and finally, to
bad seasons. He warns the farmers
we they mus not expect to get luXu
= as from the farm in the shape of silk DIR
re- es, fees for superior education of t
than children, ana other .l,hgs oi which
,Ond fathers never dreamed. IN otner VIC
farming will not pay for any but
pie and economical mode of life.
'e"J