176 EXTENSION OF 



With the foregoing prices, and using a cheap descrip- 

 tion of slates on lath, called " Tons/' of which one ton, 

 costing 35s., covers twenty-four yards, the estimated 

 cost of these farm-buildings is £612. 



Roofed with pan tiles, (500 of which, costing 16s. 6d., 

 cover one rood,) the estimated cost is £478. 



These estimates allow no profit to the contractor, and 

 assume the whole materials to be laid down free of 

 carriage. 



The propriety of extending the Land Improvement 

 Act, so as to embrace the erection of farm-buildings, 

 as one of the objects for which Government loans 

 should be made, has already been referred to. Tt 

 seems to be assumed by the Devon Commission, that 

 farm-buildings are not strictly a reproductive out- 

 lay, and they therefore do not recommend assistance of 

 this kind to be given. Upon what grounds they 

 formed that opinion, it is not for me to say. But I am 

 quite sure that no improved course of agriculture can be 

 entered upon in the West of Ireland, without building 

 accommodations. It will be vain to drain the land, 

 and fit it for the culture of green crops and grain, if 

 no suitable housing is at the same time provided for 

 the economical and profitable conversion of these into a 

 marketable form. 



The almost universal want of farm-buildings renders it 

 impossible for the present proprietors to provide what 

 is required at once, or for many years to come, if 

 unaided by Government. A loan, repayable in twenty- 

 two years, might be perfectly safe, if a limitation of 



