The comet. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1877-1882, 1880-07-10
The London Times Advise English
Farmers 90 EmigrRte.

The London Times Of May Goth,
published a leader on the prospects OF
British Agriculture which Is Of pee
ial interest as coming from source
occupying the prominent position of
that famous journal, We quote the
following extract, partly showing
that the outcome Of the present season
In Great Britain is not regarded with
out serious misglvings, and partly
as an example Of The growing recog-
milton of the undoubted fact that most
British farmers might very greatly
ameiorate their position by coming
to this country TO invest their capital,
before it is entirely swallowed up by
the misfortune TO which they have
been subjected at home
The prospects of agriculture just
now are neither decisive nor uniform.
Unless there comes much and regular
rain, the CROPS will be rs bad as in the
worst years we have known. The fly
will soon be at the turnips, and the
mangel wurzel, on which so much de-
pendence is now placed, will not be
able to strike root or to fill. 1t
will come to nothing. The sheep that
have suffered so much, and are still
suffering, from wet, innutritious food,
will have better food, but not enough
of it and the poor cattle that were
selected by theiI closely calculating
owners to bear the the brunt of last
winters hardships, as they show by
their followed TANKS and projecting
bones, will not have the opportunity
of repairing their wasted forms. Just
now many of our farms and diaries,
conducted, as they are, on commercial
rather than patriotic principles, are not
foreigner. But if the present weather
prevails throughout this season, they
will remain unpresentab,e, and we
must take our distinguished visitors
to see farms conducted with no hope
of reward in this world. We have to
consider first of all what we can pro
duce ut most advantage, or rather at
least disadvantage, in the face OF the
enormous and still increasing compe-
tition of Europe, America and the
Australasian colonies The extent of
our difficulties may be measured by
the undeniable fact that the cultiva-
ton of wheat, for its own sake, is
actually under trial. 1t is maintained
by good authorities that in no part of
these isles can we produce wheat to
compete with the foreign supply. The
excess of production over home con-
sumption in North America alone is
sufficient for our necessities. 1t in
creases, and will increase. We cam
not hope that our long worked and
acres, continually requiring
the most costly renewal, and often 50
scant of soil that it is a pity they We're
ever turned up, will compete success
fully with an immense area of virgin
soil, connected with us by q line of
railways, inland navigation and ocean
steamers. 1t has come to this, that
we are growing wheat, not for the
grain, but for the straw. Litter is
bulky and difficult of carriage, so it
must he grown at our doors.
1t is becoming a serious problem
what agriculturists are TO do. They
will not get rents much lowered in a
hurry, for land still commands high
value in the market, and is difficult to
be got at all except under special cir
Large proprietors would
rather cultivate their own land at a
loss than submit to reduction of rent
telling on its value. Nor have the
class any right to expect to
land except on such terms as
as the owner may choose to insist on.
They have now the world before them,
Why do not they start for the regions
where land can be cheaply rented and
cheaply bought, within easy reach of
of the best market in the world-yiz..
ourown? An Englishman is as much
at home anywhere in North America
as in amy county of Great Britain or
Ireland. Why should anybody spend
his life and fortune in the attempt to
grow here The food he could grow
quite as good and much more cheaply !
a fortnight's voyage off? IF people
have money and wish to lose it, let
them stay at home. If they have not |
and wish to make it, we APP
prehend that they will have to go
abroad.