Rural Economij of the Netherlands. 151 



the opening of the English market raised the value of their 

 products, they are not content with having silver tea-services, 

 but the goblets and large dishes of all sorts must be of the same 

 metal, and some people finding even silver too common, have 

 come out with gold plate. 



In South Holland the grass-lands are about equal in extent, 

 but not quite so good in quality. This province is the heart of 

 the Low Countries, and with reason gave its name to the whole 

 kingdom. Here are to be found, not far distant from each other, 

 the cities of Amsterdam, Rotterdam, the Hague, and Leyden, 

 which are the pride of these regions. The two divisions of 

 Holland are together nearly as large as a French department, 

 and can boast of a population of 1,200,000 souls, or more than 

 200 to 250 acres, the same rate as in our Department du 

 Nord, and as in the most thickly populated parts of Belgium 

 and England. Such is the reward of indefatigable industry, 

 and of indomitable attachment to liberty. 



Among the most recent agricultural achievements is the 

 drainage of the lake of Haarlem. This magnificent enterprise 

 was commenced in 1839. The cost reached 760,000/., or nearly 

 17Z. per acre ; for the lake of Haarlem covered 45,000 acres. 

 Making deduction for the land occupied by dykes and canals, 

 42,500 acres have been sold by auction at an average price of 

 16/., which almost covered the outlay. The land now sells 

 readily for 32/. to 40/. an acre. This ancient lake, which once 

 produced nothing, now yields a gross agricultural return of 

 160,000/. 



The gardens of Holland have long been celebrated. Their 

 head-quarters are in a belt of country stretching along the sea- 

 coast, and called Westland. Although situated in the midst of 

 the clay district, this spot is sandy ; it was formerly covered with 

 embankments, but for more than four centuries the work oi 

 reducing them and removing- the sand elsewhere has been carried 

 on at a cost so enormous that the value of the land seems hardly 

 to repay it. The proximity of populous cities, affording a ready 

 market, has enabled Westland to acquire its extraordinary fer- 

 tility. It is a perfect garden, where cultivation has almost 

 worked miracles ; for, with a soil naturally poor, and with a 

 rigorous climate, it produces exotics which do not always thrive 

 even under the gentle skies of Nice. Near Haarlem are to be 

 seen large breadths of tulips, hyacinths, and jonquils, whose 

 bulbs are exported to all parts of the Avorld, The charming 

 village of Bloemendal, " the valley of flowers," sent forth bulbs 

 to the value of nearly 200,000/. in 1862. Roses are here grown 

 on a large scale for their blossoms, which are used for perfumery, 

 besides plants used in medicine, asparagus, figs, early beans, 



