xiv PREFACE 



he sees himself. But it is fair to note that his 

 worst characteristics are imposed on him rather 

 than inherent. I do not think any other peasantry 

 in the world could be any better under the 

 organised brutalism that has morally deformed 

 agrarian Ireland, where religion is still carefully 

 directed to encourage theft and murder. The 

 future of Ireland is with the numerical dominion 

 of the peasant. National hope is limited by his 

 moral emancipation, and this depends on the 

 truth reaching him, against which he is fenced 

 round on every side, with the British and their 

 purse co-operating in the enslavement. The 

 future of Ireland is with the peasant, and the 

 future of the peasant is with the School. 



I am indebted for help and advice in the early 

 and ignorant stages of my farming to Messrs. 

 Paul & Vincent, Messrs. Morgan Mooney, Mr 

 George Ryce and Mr. John Kelly, who happened 

 to be the Department's instructor in my district 

 at the time, and the most conscientious public 

 servant I have ever met. 



I should like a farming pupil, preferably 

 of the educated class for company, and " My 

 Little Farm " might do more for him than 

 could be done on the big farms. Should he fail 

 as a farmer, he could have every opportunity to 

 develop as a detective. 



The Author desires to thank the editors of 

 The Morning Post and The Saturday Review for 

 leave to republish a Study in Congestion and 

 Farming as a Profession, These are the only 

 reprints in this book. 



