ITS BEABING UPON AGRICULTURE. 



The question of Intemperance and its bearing upon Agricul- 

 ture is a subject of great and increasing importance, and one 

 that will have to be seriously considered before English Agricul- 

 ture can again hold the position it once held. I shall not be able 

 to deal with it fully or philosophically; but I desire to 

 draw public attention to this aspect of the question. We hear 

 the cry everywhere that farmers are failing and that landlords 

 cannot let their farms. It is generally admitted that British 

 Agriculture is passing through a great crisis. The future of our 

 Nation depends mainly upon the productions of the soil, it is 

 therefore the simple duty of every Englishman to assist in solving 

 the problem of the present distress. The subject is occupying, 

 and will no doubt occupy many thoughtful minds. It is true that 

 the seasons for several years past have been unfavourable, we have 

 also had to contend with a keen foreign competition, that 

 will make itself felt more and more for years to pome. The 

 weather we cannot control, although farmers may do much to 

 modify the effects of unfavourable seasons by being well forward 

 with their work, so as to be in a position to take advantage of 

 favourable opportunities as they pass. But the foreign competition 

 must be met, and grappled with, and that successfully, the 

 question is, how and by what means it can be done, although 

 free trade and protection will no doubt be seriously discussed 

 in the immediate future. Agriculture cannot expect to find relief in 

 this direction : something might be done by improved land laws, 

 and, in some cases, a reduction in rents, although in many 

 instances land brings in but a very poor return, and therefore 

 very much relief cannot be expected even in this direction. 

 My firm conviction is, the relief so much needed must be sought 

 in internal rather than external remedies, we must apply ourselves, 

 and that at once, to those remedies that are within our own reach, 

 viz. : to economy, industry, skill, and sobriety. I am unwilling 

 to believe that England is to be beaten by her foreign neighbours, 

 although the contest is not equal (all round) in the matter of protection. 

 I am persuaded, after long experience and much anxious thought on 

 this subject, that by far the greatest hindrance to our Agriculture is 

 England's common enemy or I might say curse, Intemperance, which 

 has been literally forced upon the nation by the Government from 

 I feel strongly, (speaking from a Christian's stand 



