WANT OF CAPITAL. 135 



improving their land, is well illustrated by the following 

 extract from the report of Mr J. M. Hussej, inspec- 

 tor of drainage for the middle district of the county of 

 Cork. 



" The advantages derived from the loans made under 

 the Land Improvement Act, appear to be greatly 

 dependent on the class of persons who obtained them. 



" When a proprietor obtained a loan for the im- 

 provement of land, either in his own occupation, or in 

 the hands of intelligent tenants, the advantages were 

 considerable ; and lands which, previously to draining, 

 were unsuited to the cultivation of green crops, imme- 

 diately produced crops not exceeded by those raised on 

 naturally rich dry land, and hence a stimulus was given 

 to the occupiers to commence liming, deep ploughing, 

 and otherwise fertilising the soil ; and they now begin to 

 feel that, by increased skill and energy in farming, it 

 may be possible to meet the present depression in the 

 prices of agricultural produce. 



" But turning to those cases where loans were taken 

 on large estates for the purpose of employing the 

 labourers, and thereby lessening the taxation, the results 

 were not such as would warrant a larger and continued 

 outlay. 



" A considerable portion of the land thorough drained 

 in small lots on the farms of a poor and nearly pauper 

 tenantry, who were generally unaware of the advantages 

 derivable from thorough drainage, did not follow it up ; 

 and, in consequence, the ground has been left untilled 

 and waste. 



" These remarks apply particularly to the extensive 



