4^5 



Tbefc meafures, which I have mentioned, would be the means of en- 

 creafing the aftual produce of land, in the country. It would then 

 remain to apply fuch regulations, as might give the poor, and labori- 

 ous population of the land, their full fliare, and benefit, in the blcf- 

 fings of heaven on the fertility of the foil, and the induftry of the care- 

 ful farmer. 



There is one meafure, which would efFeftually difappoint the fpecu- 

 lations of the rapacious monopolifts, and, at the fame time, offer a 

 reafonable encouragement to the farmer, and prevent his being difap- 

 pointed of fuch a price for his grain, as would fufEciently reimburfe 

 his cxpences, and reward his labour, even in years of the greateft 

 abundance, and depreciation in the price of corn. I mean the eftabUfh- 

 ment of public granaries. Such a meafure, if judicioufly executed, 

 with integrity, and economy, would guarantee the poor againft ever 

 fuffering the extremes of famine ; — a mofl important objeft in every 

 well regulated ftate. The wifeft nations, in all ages, have perceived 

 the utility of eftablifhments of this kind. It may be faid, that the 

 moifture of the climate, in Ireland, will render it difficult, to pre- 

 ferve corn for the requifite length of time. I am confident, that this obftacle 

 might be obviated, by proper conflruftion of the depots, and a judicious 

 contrivance, and application of machinery, and apparatus. 



I am far from being an enemy to diftillers, in general ; they fur- 

 nilh a great refource, and fupport to agriculture ; — but, I could wi(h 

 that they were reflridled, as was formerly the cafe, to the confump- 

 tion of here, and barley, which are not fo properly the food of the poor. 

 It is much to be regretted, that the legiflature fhould have relaxed 

 the falutary reftraints on this fubjcft, and tolerated the employment of oats, 

 and even wheat and potatoes in diftiilation. Thus, a fpirit of inferior 

 quahty is produced ; and, a manufafture, which is now growing up into an 

 article of confideration for export, is depreciated in its eharafter ; and what 

 is much worfe, and more to be lamented, the poor are deprived of 

 a material part of their fuflenance.. 



Notwithftanding 



