CONCLUSION. 461 



stipulates, on both sides. And the " brains " agree. The 

 landlord is equal to the task entrusted to him, and so is 

 the tenant. The machine works smoothly because its 

 parts work as one. Covenants and restrictions are practi- 

 cally in abeyance. The money required for improvements 

 is forthcoming in adequate quantity. There is consequently 

 output and there is steady improvement. 



In the majority of cases, however, unfortunately it is not 

 so. The landlord is crippled — ahke in his means and in 

 his freedom of action. For he is after all only a life tenant. 

 And the tenant — whatever be his grade of education, 

 and whatever be his capital — is tied. Covenants are a 

 reality. Money comes forth sparingly. There is duality of 

 interest. And, in consequence, there is short output and 

 no improvement. 



Under such circumstances, whatever be the quahty of 

 our soil, and whatever be the natural advantages dispensed 

 to us by Providence, we cannot look to our Agriculture for 

 the desired and desirable return. Our land, sparingly 

 meted out to us as it is by Providence, is committed to the 

 keeping of two classes of men, neither of whom has, as a 

 class, shown itself quite fit for its business, and whose several 

 interests cannot help clashing. To one of these classes the 

 land is now either an investment only — which they them- 

 selves, on the showing of so eminent an authority as Mr. 

 Hall, have never (at any rate not since the days of Coke and 

 Somerville) been able to manage agriculturally with success 

 — or else a pedestal to position. These men are cramped and 

 tied by the duties that they owe to their practically co- 

 possessing famihes. To the other class it is material which 

 they have no earthly interest in either improving or making 

 the most of, since it will perfectly answer their purpose if 

 they only just skim a " living " off it. Each of these two 

 classes naturally pursues its own interest — so far as, under 

 mutual shackling of its power, it can. And the restraints 

 under which the two interests are placed otherwise, of them- 

 selves of necessity stand in the way of the production 

 of the best output. 



It is from this dualism of interest and from the disabiUties 



