OCTOBER. 50p 



essential point. If he is fixed in business by some 

 experienced relation, he will not want the proper 

 instruction; but as many adventurers (as they may 

 be called) are every day making efforts to try 

 their fortunes in the culture of the earth, and many 

 gentlemen taking farms into their hands, sometimes 

 without due consideration of the necessary ex- 

 pences, it is proper to minute a few observations on 

 the subject. 



Thirty years ago, the sum that was usually ap- 

 propriated to stocking a farm, varied from 3l. to 5l. 

 an acre; and it was a general idea, that the latter 

 sum was sufficient for any farm, part arable and 

 part grass, of no uncommon fertility. Rich marshes 

 were, of course, excluded in the calculation ; and 

 light flock-farms were often stocked for 3l. per acre. 

 But these matters are now greatly changed ; rents 

 are much increased ; tithes are compounded at a 

 higher payment ; poor-rates are enormously risen ; 

 all sorts of implements comprehended in the article 

 wear and tear, are thirty or forty per cent, dearer ; 

 labour is in many districts doubled : the prices of 

 cattle and sheep are greatly advanced ; so that, at 

 present, the same farm which at that period would 

 have been very well stocked, and the first year's ex- 

 pences provided for, at the rate of 5l. per acre, now 

 demands 7!. to 8l. per acre. But it is to be remem- 

 bered, that in all such estimates it is necessary to 

 suppose that every implement bought in is new, 

 and that the live stock be good of the sort, and that 

 the first year's expences be provided for, though a 



portion 



