CHAPTER XX. 

 A STUDY IN CONGESTION 



GIVEN a fence with congested peasants on one side, 

 prairie bullocks on the other side, and the same 

 natural quality of land on both sides, to replace the 

 bullocks by the peasants and do no injustice. 

 Here are no sentimental difficulties about migra- 

 tion, and as both sides of the fence are in the same 

 parish, there is no danger to the ecclesiastical 

 income by relieving congestion. The problem 

 could scarcely be in simpler case, and if it can be 

 solved at all, this is the place. 



The land occupied by the peasants is good 

 enough, but the area is not large enough, and we 

 must find them farms, say thirty acres each, on 

 the other side of the fence. Though the natural 

 quality of the soil is the same, the actual qualities 

 differ vastly, the people having exhausted the 

 fertility, whereas the bullocks, not being 

 politicians, have comparatively increased it. 

 Besides, the bullocks are pleasanter neighbours and 

 better tenants for anyone to keep on his land, 

 which tends to increase its value. By removing 

 the Irishman to make room for the beast, about 

 50 per cent, is added to the value of the land. 



Such is the contrast, and given freedom, it 

 tends to perpetuate its extremes with widening 



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