CHAPTER XX. 



THE EFFECTS OF AGRICULTURAL PROGRESS ON LEGISLATION. 



During the interesting period wliich extended from 1800 to 

 1850, there were three striking impediments to any substantial 

 improvement on the part of the three capitalists connected 

 with the land. First, there was a legislative process which 

 enabled the tithe owner, although he had no share whatsoever 

 in the previous expenditure, to participate in the profits from 

 all agricultural improvements ; secondly, there were the re- 

 strictions surrounding the position of a tenant-for-life ; and 

 thirdly there was the insecurity of the occupier regarding the 

 capital sunk in improving some one else's property. The Tithe 

 Commutation Act of 1836 ^ removed the first obstacle, the 

 Drainage and Settled Land Acts of the forties and further 

 legislation of a still later date^ effectually removed the second, 

 while the Agricultural Holdings Acts ^ of 1875 and 1883 tended 

 to get rid of the third. 



It would have probably startled most of those experts, to 

 whose scientific teaching we alluded in the last chapter, if they 

 had been told that their efforts were bringing about an alter- 

 ation in the legislation dealing with land and agriculture. If, 

 for example, it had been suggested to Smith that his under- 

 drains, or to Eeed that his cylindrical tiles, or to Liebig that 

 his patent fertilisers, or to Lawes that his superphosphates 

 were tending to alter the proprietary rights of landowner and 

 landholder, as evidenced by the Settled Land and Agricultural 



* 6 & 7 Will. IV. c. 71. 



2 9 & 10 Vict. c. 101, and 12 & 13 Vict. c. 100 ; 45 «fc 46 Vict. c. 38, 47 & 

 48 Vict. c. 18, 50 & 51 Vict. c. 30, 52 & 53 Vict. c. 36, and 53 & 54 Vict, 

 c. 69. 



^ 38 & 39 Vict. c. 92, and 46 & 47 Vict. c. 61. 



447 



