LANDLORDS' INVESTMENTS. 123 



may prove a wholesome check to the gradual, but con- 

 stant, rise of rents, which has been going on for many 

 years back on all the green-crop lands of the northern 

 division of Great Britain. There is one point of prac- 

 tical detail in which new men would probably introduce 

 a change. I mean as regards the earlier maturity of 

 sheep. On the great proportion of good land in the 

 West of Ireland there can be nothing to prevent sheep 

 being sold fat at 12 to 15 months, instead of three 

 years as at present, turnips or other artificial winter 

 food being of course provided. The accomplishment 

 of this change would make a very material increase to 

 the wealth of that country. 



The immense number of estates which will now be 

 brought to sale under the Encumbered Estates Act, 

 renders it necessary for me to offer one or two remarks on 

 the probability of purchasers being found to offer for 

 them. Irish proprietors, or their encumbrancers, must 

 not delude themselves with the idea that a capitalist 

 will fail to consider the difference betwixt a dilapi- 

 dated estate, without buildings, fences, or any other of 

 those improvements which the care and outlay of years 

 have accumulated on an English property. They will 

 make all due allowances for the difference of having 

 everything to send to a distant market, instead of find- 

 ing a market at home. The state of the cottages on 

 estates will be considered, as no humane man would 

 wish to see the present miserable hovels continued, in 

 the event of his becoming a purchaser. He will there- 

 fore calculate on an annual deduction from his rental 

 for improving them. Then, without a very adequate 



