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revenue obtained from landed-property in Great Britain (exclusive 

 of Ireland) was estimated at 56239212; since 1881 this revenue 

 has constantly declined and in 1906-07 it had fallen to 42 326 989. 

 In 30 years the soil of England has lost one third of its income, 

 representing alone a capital of, perhaps, i ooo ooo ooo pounds 

 sterling (i). 



On an average from 10 to 15 thousand country -people migrate 

 to the big cities each year, or embark for the colonies. Two 

 hundred years ago, four out of every five Englishmen lived on the 

 land. "The last census returns of 1901" writes Mr. Jesse Collings, 

 "reveal an amazing state of affairs. Whilst the population of Eng- 

 land and Wales has increased by 12% in 10 years, 77/ f tne 

 total population lives in urban districts which cover a little over 

 one tenth of the total area. " 



Progress in Lancashire Agriculture. (Journal of the Royal 

 Lancashire Agricultural Society ', pp. 208. Liverpool, 1910). 



The Royal Lancashire Agricultural Society was instituted in 

 1767, the principal objects 'of the Society being the encouragement 

 and general advancement of the science and practice of English 

 agriculture. 



From an interesting historical retrospect on Lancashire agricul- 

 ture, by Mr. R. J. Penke, the following passage on "Improved 

 Systems" may be quoted: 



"Mr. Ffrance, of Rawcliffe Hall, improved the chain harrow, 

 and also contrived, in wood, a cultivator on Lord Ducie's plan for 

 moss land. Wooden railways for marling and carrying off turnips, etc., 

 were half-a-century ago adopted by some of our Fylde agriculturists. 

 Sixty years ago there were, as far as records show, no reaping 

 machines in Lancashire, grain being cut with the sickle or reaping 

 hook and sometimes with the scythe. A few machines for spread- 

 ing grass were adopted, and ploughs similar to the Scotch iron 

 swing plough were in general use. In the arable districts of the 

 Fylde and South and West Lancashire, ploughing competitions were 

 inaugurated, and these led to great improvements in the skill of 

 the farm hands. However, with the growth of facilities for travel 

 and marketing, the Lancashire farmers, became as well equipped 



(i) Cf. Agricultural and Live Stock Returns, 1909. Cd. 4834. Colonial 

 and Foreign Statistics, 1909. Cd. 4989. 



