Changes of Crop in Ireland. ii 



breadth cultivated, within so short a period as ten 

 years, is a convincing proof that the great value 

 of this plant is at length beginning to be gene- 

 rally recognised, and there seems a probability 

 of its continued extension. In live-stock there 

 has been a moderate increase in Great Britain 

 during the past ten years. 



In Ireland the change of crops has been Diminu- 

 tion of com 



greater than in England or Scotland, the extent and in- 

 crease of 



of land under corn having diminished in ten grass in 



Ireland. 



years by 12 per cent. Wheat has fallen to less 

 than one-half, there is an increase of 28 per cent. 

 in barley, but a decrease of nearly 10 per cent. 

 in oats. Potatoes have fallen 12 per cent., 

 while turnips have slightly increased. On the 

 whole there has been a diminution of 267,000 

 acres of land under corn, and an addition of 

 203,000 acres to permanent meadow and grass. 

 The reduction of the acreage of wheat, for which 

 the climate of most parts of Ireland is too moist, 

 and the considerable decline in potatoes, the 

 tempting but precarious crop upon which that 

 country has hitherto too much relied, are evident 

 signs of prudence and prosperity. In the same 



