58 On Potatoes. 



sidered, I trust that you will agree with me, that an 

 extended cultivation of potatoes is, at the present mo- 

 ment, an object much deserving attention ; and when 

 it is further considered that the parochial poor, through 

 .much the greater part of the kingdom, are enabled, 

 by rates, to consume wheat at present as in ordinary 

 times, the importance of the proposal now submitted 

 to your consideration, may receive additional weight. 

 Such a subject as this calls for the attention of par- 

 liament, but not on the spur of a difficulty : it should 

 be taken into consideration when none presses. I fear 

 that such an interference will become doubly necessa- 

 ry, from a circumstance not immediately apparent ; 

 leases of a right duration are quickly going out of fa-, 

 shion, so that we may expect a gradual declension in 

 the produce of corn, which will by and by be felt se- 

 verely, if it be not so at present. The mischievous 

 idea of a depreciated currency, has given a severe blow 

 to long leases ; and I cannot but think it an astonish- 

 ing solecism, to find that orators and writers can at one 

 time speak and write in favour of agriculture and leas- 

 es, and at other times declaim on the visions of depre- 

 ciation ; a notion which, if it continues to be blazoned 

 as it has been, will not leave a long lease in the king- 

 dom, and consequently not permit a valuable improve- 

 ment by any tenant, from Cornwall to Caithness. 

 I have the honour to be, &:c. 



Arthur Young. 

 Sackville Street, London, 

 March 25, 1812. 



