RENTS 51 



Average Rent per Acre : Engiakd and Wai.es. 



This table shows the upward and the down- 

 ward movement in parallel columns. The 

 falling column displays the reductions of rent 

 which came to the relief of farmers on the side 

 of the owner. The fall in wages given above 

 represents the relief sought by him on the side 

 of the labourer. The latter shared in the 

 general depression, and, as Mr. Prothero 

 observes, though the labourers suffered 

 least in actual money loss, " standing as 

 they do, nearer the border-line of starvation, 

 it is probably true that they also suffered 

 most." But, as we have seen, they have 

 subsequently far more than regained their 

 position. Farmers also, says Mr. Prothero, 

 have improved theirs ; " for landlords 

 alone, although agricultural land readily 

 commands both tenants and purchasers, the 

 general conditions have materially changed 

 for the worse." The annual value of land in 

 Great Britain, according to the income-tax 



