212 THE AUTHOR REFUTES 



because of the indirect advantages which my pen would fail me 

 to enumerate." 



I repeat my firm conviction, that ten shillings per acre net 

 profit is more than has been realized upon the average farms 

 in Norfolk during the past seven years. On the contrary,, Mr. 

 Gower informs the public, that his profits are 87. 2s. 3d. per 

 acre for oats, 71. 9s. 3d. for wheat, and 37. for straw. Or, in 

 other words, 15007. per year for corn, and 7507. for straw, from 

 one moiety of his farm consisting of 500 acres; an account 

 which, however fabulous, will doubtless be promulgated with 

 avidity by the Anti-Corn-Law League as a confirmation of 

 Mr. Rous's recent comparisons on the same subject. Indeed, 

 I should not be at all surprised to learn, that the following 

 placard was handed about the streets of all manufacturing 

 towns : 



" Extraordinary profits of Norfolk farmers, 

 15007. for Corn. 

 7507. for Straw. 



" Grand Total 2250 Pounds sterling, net profit from 250 

 acres of land at Dilham. 



"The truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth." 



Let it not be supposed that I treat this subject with levity. 

 The above calculation was suggested to me by a practical far- 

 mer, who, with many intelligent agriculturists in this and other 

 counties, warrants me in declaring, that he has not added a 

 shilling to his capital by farming during the past seven years. 

 They all consider that Mr. Gower's mistakes are fraught with 

 dangerous consequences ; and that it will be in vain to oppose 

 the rage for free trade if Norfolk farmers exaggerate their 

 profits. Mr. Gower occupies 500 acres of first-rate land, to 

 the superior cultivation of which I can cheerfully testify. It 

 is hoped that he will favour the public with a clear debtor 

 and creditor report from his farm -accounts, in order that it 

 may be fully ascertained, 1st, whether his profits on oats and 

 wheat are fifteen pounds or fifteen pence per acre ; 2ndly, whe- 

 ther any material value can be attached to the straw beyond 



