if^O Ifpoit Stratghtlng Rtdgef} Nor* 



who ha&^ not perhaps penetration enough to difcover that his 

 j:;randfather amafTed wealth, not in confequence of farming in a 

 fuperior ftyle, but in confequence of an advantageous leafe from 

 the proprietor, to whom, it is probable, he did not pay as much 

 rent as is now demanded for the corn tithe of the fame pofTef- 

 fion. 



Allow me, Mr Condu<flcr, a few words on the improvenient 

 of waftes, and I have done. 



It is really Oiameful to obferve what quantities of land arc 

 lying wafte in different parts of the country, which might be 

 rendered profitable to individuals, and to the public, were pro- 

 per means uiVd for that purpofe. As farms in general are now 

 jet at rack-rent, and on fliort leafes, it cannot excite furprife, 

 that farmers ihould decline laying out their capitals in under- 

 takings, from which time will not perhaps allow them to reap 

 an adequate return. In fuch cafes, the proprietor ought to put 

 his fhoulder to the burden, and bear, at leaft, a part of the ori- 

 ginal outlay, which mult be confiderable ; and if he underftands 

 his own intereft, he will do it cheerfully. Where flones are to 

 be removed, or drains cut, thefe things ought certainly to be 

 done at his expence ; and he ought alfo to bear one half of the 

 fum that may be neceffarily expended in purchafmg lime. Sup- 

 pofe twenty acres, or even a lefs quantity, thus improved every 

 year, how much would the appearance of his property be alter- 

 ed, as well as the value thereof increafed in a fhort tim.e, and 

 what advance of rent might he not expe6l at the expiration of 

 the leafe ? An acquaintance of mine has pofTefTed a farm for 

 about twenty years, confiding of nearly equal portions of good 

 rich land and wafte -, and during all that time a fingle acre of 

 the wafte has not been improved. The reafon is plain, — the 

 proprietor will give no arTiftance ; and the tenant, who finds he 

 can live comfortably by the good land alone, will not embark 

 fingle-handed in fo arduous and hazardqus an undertaking. 

 Thus, a large quantity of ground, not of the worft quality, con- 

 tinues, and it is probable will continue, in an unproductive 

 ftate, till fome future proprietor (hall arife, who may fee it to 

 be his intereft, as well as his honour, to adopt a fyftem diame- 

 ^ically oppofite to that of the prefent one. 



NorthuniherUnd, 1804. CoqiTETTUS. 



T« 



