XVI INTRODUCTION.

The prefent method of providing for the poor, notwithftanding the judgment and deliberation with which it was adopted, is unqueftionably detrimental to the advancement of agriculture, as well as greatly prejudicial to morals and indufiry, from itsfalling difproportionately heavy on land-holders of every defcription, nearly three-fourths of the whole amount of the immenfe fum being raifed by that clafs of fociety. The proprietors of land, are however, in fome meafure enabled to throw this burthen from themfelves by ftipulating with their tenants for the payment of all parochial taxes, fo that in fact the farmer becomes the principal fufferer, efpecially in cafes where any augmentation of the affeflment is required, which is frequently the cafe from the operation of either local or general circumftances; fuch as the failure of manufactures or the carrying on of wars*, By thefe means the capital of the farmer is diverted from its proper application, that of being employed in the cultivation and improvement of land, by which the progrefs of hufbandry is not merely impeded, but the community fuftains an incalculable lofs.

There are ftill other obftacles which retard the improvement of the art befides thofe that have been noticed; but they are in general lefs prejudicial in their tendency, or more limited in their operations. Of this kind are the game, the corn, and the falt laws; all of which ia their prefent forms throw great impediment in the way of agriculture. And the want of proper and convenient markets in many fituations, for the difpofal of different kinds of produce, and of eafy and expeditious modes of conveying them to fuch places, as well as a variety of local cuftoms and regulations, are not lefs injurious in their effects though much lefs attended to.

Thefe are fome of the principal difficulties and impediments that have been fo long fuffcred to retard the progrefs of cultivation, and which muft continue to put an infuperable bar to its improvement, in many refpects, until they are re- moved.

But the advancement of agriculture has not been folely obftructed by caufes of this nature; there are many others which the proprietors of lands have the means of obviating. The want of proper and judicious leafes has at all times operated unfavourably for the improvement of hufbandry, and is an evil very generally com- plained of by farmers, a circumftance which is not in the leaft to be wondered at, as it can hardly be fuppofed that improvements will be carried on to any extent

* Modern Agriculture, Vol. IV.

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