Want of Special Training. 103 



of the progress of invention, by which large 

 results may be obtained on a given expenditure, 

 is absolutely necessary to procure a profit in the 

 general competition. The landowners of large 

 estates entrust the management of their pro- 

 perty to agents, more or less qualified, many 

 very capable, but often hampered by the 

 pressing need of their employer for the largest 

 return of rental at the least cost. The land- 

 owner himself too seldom takes such an active 

 and intelligent interest in the details of manage- 

 ment as would convince him of the need to 

 keep his farms in a similar state of high working 

 order. It is not with him really a question of 

 business. Let us take, by way of comparison, a 

 manufacturer, merchant, or shipowner, employ- 

 ing each a capital equal to that of a landowner 

 who has a rental of ;!^5,ooo a year. What would 

 be thought of the prospects of a woollen manu- 

 facturer who, without the slightest preparation 

 or special knowledge, embarked ^100,000 in 

 that business .'' Or of a man who took over a 

 mercantile concern of the same extent, without 

 havincf ever before wTitten or read a business 



