CHAPTER X. 



REFLECTIONS — FARMERS* INVESTMENTS — LANDLOBDS* INVESTMENTS 



OBSTACLE TO THE LATTER — INDEFINITE NATURE OF RATES — COMPARA- 

 TIVE STATE OF THE COUNTRY IN 1779 AND 1849 — ARTHUR YOUNG'S 

 TOUR — RISE OF RENTS — REDUNDANCY OF POPULATION — PROPORTION IN 



EAST COMPARED WITH WEST DEPENDENCE ON POTATO RELIEF-WORKS 



UNAVOIDABLY UNPRODUCTIVE — INCREASE OF GRAND- JURY CESS AND POOR 

 AND LABOUR RATES ALL PRIMARILY THROWN ON THE TENANT — ABAN- 

 DONMENT OF FARMS NECESSITY OF A LIMITATION OF RATES TO ENCOU- 

 RAGE IMMIGRATION OF CAPITALISTS EMIGRATION VARIABLE AMOUNT 



OF VALUATION PROPRIETY OF DISCOURAGING CON-ACRE — SIMPLIFICA- 

 TION OF SALE AND TRANSFER OF LAND — INCIDENCE OF GRAND-JURY 

 CESS UNJUST TO TENANT ADVANTAGES OF TRANSFERRING IT TO LAND- 

 LORD CURE FOR ABSENTEEISM UNEXHAUSTED IMPROVEMENTS POPU- 

 LATION OF CONNAUGHT COMPARED WITH ENGLAND AND SCOTLAND 



NECESSITY FOR A COMPREHENSIVE MEASURE. 



In briefly recording the general impression left on my 

 mind by my visit to the west of Ireland, altogether apart 

 from the social state of that country, which will be after- 

 wards considered, I may state that I was much sur- 

 prised to find so great an extent of fine fertile land. 

 The interior of the country is very level, and its general 

 character stony and dry ; the soil deep and friable. 

 The humidity of the climate causes a very constant 

 vegetation, which has both advantages and disadvan- 

 tages. It is favourable for grass and green crops, but 

 renders it necessary to employ very vigorous and per- 



