PREFACE. 



The work I now place before my readers lias, in a great measure, 

 formed tlie subject-matter of lectures delivered by me to the 

 Students of the Eoyal Agricultural College at Cirencester. 

 Through the kindness of the Earl of Pembroke in granting 

 me permission to make use of the facts obtained from the 

 accounts of the Wilton House Home Farm during a period 

 of twenty-three years, and with the assistance of Mr. Wm. 

 Robson, late Agent of the Pembroke Estates in England, 

 who has throughout given me the benefit of his valuable 

 experience, I have been able to examine and solve the Land 

 Question in its bearings upon agriculture. The history of 

 the farm, the system of management pursued, and all the 

 facts derived therefrom are fully given, affording in their 

 detail excellent matter for instruction to the student of 

 agriculture. 



No special merit is claimed for more than ordinary farming; 

 there being in the kingdom a great many farms managed as 

 well, and producing equal if not more profitable returns when 

 compared with the one in question. 



Farming is shown to have been a profitable occupation 

 from 1850 up to and including 1873. 



The quantities produced during the 23 years, with the 

 gazetted prices for 1883 attached, show a profit ; and the 

 estimated quantities for 1884, with prices equal to the 

 actual cost of production, also leave a profitable amount in 

 favour of the farm. 



If it is true that " what has been done " in the natural 

 order of things " may be done again," then the results obtained 



