34 THE LAND AND ITS PROBLEMS 



the bother of formulating a national agricultural policy 

 based on sound principles. As a nation we abhor 

 problems and finding their solution 1 



From 1820 to 1870, when the farmers were prosperous 

 and landowners also had plenty of money, the tenancy 

 system was a pleasant one to both parties. The land- 

 owner took pleasure in putting up good houses and fine 

 farm buildings, and the farmers took pride in keeping 

 them in good order. The relationship was generally 

 a most cordial one. 



Coming to the second question, has this system of 

 tenure been good for the nation from the economic point 

 of view ? There is a very general tendency to accept as 

 good any system that is universal. " It would not exist 

 if it did not suit the characteristics of the people and 

 the country." Or " It exists as the result of the workings 

 of the Laws of Economy." Or, putting it in a somewhat 

 cruder form, " The farmers like it ! " 



But it is necessary to go somewhat deeper into the 

 question if sound conclusions are to be arrived at. 

 In the first place, all the laws of economy are not im- 

 mutable as are the laws of nature ; man by taking 

 thought can alter conditions, and so alter the economic 

 situation that the application of these laws is affected. 

 For instance, the common or open field system of 

 cultivation was undoubtedly uneconomic, but that did 

 not justify the taking of the land from the people who 

 owned it ! The uneconomic features could have been 

 removed and at the same time the rights of the owners 

 confirmed — to the great advantage of the nation's 

 economy. 



The first consideration that strikes the observer is 

 that not only is the land of England owned by one set 

 of men and cultivated by another, but that the set of 



