124 HISTORY OF AGRICULTURE. Part 1. 



in the law respecting the mode of ascertaining the prices at which the different duties 

 were exigible, still continued at the low duty, the system by which exportation was 

 encouraged, and importation in ordinary cases prohibited, was not completely established 

 till 1688 and 1700. In the former of these years, a bounty of 5s. a quarter was given on 

 exportation, when the price of wheat did not exceed 48s., and in the latter the duties 

 on exportation were wholly repealed. Under these laws, not only was the excess of 

 exports very considerable, but the prices of grain, down to 1765, were much lower 

 than during an equal number of years preceding 1688. ITiis is not the place to enquire 

 how far these laws had an influence in producing this phenomenon ; but the facts 

 themselves are indisputable. Yet the mere circumstance of large exportations of grain 

 does by no means prove the prosperity of agriculture ; far less is its cheapness in the 

 home markets any evidence of the comfortable subsistence of the lower orders. Corn 

 seems to have been raised in such abundance, not merely because the market was ex- 

 tended by means of the bounty, but because there was little demand for other products 

 of the soil, which have, since that time, withdrawn a large portion of the best arable 

 land from the growth of corn. And the price was low, because neither the number nor 

 wealth of the consumers had increased in a proportion corresponding to the supply. 

 Before the accession of his present majesty, the number of acts for enclosure was only 

 two hundred and forty-four ; a clear proof that agricultural improvements proceeded 

 much more slowly than they have done since. And it cannot be disputed, that, owing 

 to the imperfect culture of that period, when ameliorating crops did not enter largely 

 into the courses of management, any given extent of land did not produce so much corn 

 as under the improved rotations of modern husbandry." 



764. The exportation of wool was prohibited in 1647, in 1660, and in 1668 ; and the 

 prohibition strictly enforced by subsequent statutes. The effect of this on its price, 

 and the state of the wool trade, from the earliest period to the middle of last century, 

 are distinctly exhibited by the learned and laborious author of Memoirs on Wool, 

 printed in 1747. 



765. In 1765 the corn-laws established in the end of the seventeenth century began to be repealed, and ex- 

 portation was prohibited, and importation permitted without payment of duties, by annual acts, during 

 the seven subsequent years. " A new system was established in 1773, allowing importation when the price 

 of wheat was at or above 48s. per quarter, at the low duty of 6rf. Exportation was prohibited when the 

 price was 44s. ; and below that the former bounty of 5s. per quarter continued to be payable." 



766. By an act passed in 1791, the bounty on exportation, when the price was under 44s. per quarter, 

 remained unaltered ; but " exportation was permitted till the price was 46s. Importation was virtually 

 prohibited by high duties when the price was below 50s. ; and permitted, on payment of a duty of 6rf., 

 when at or above 54s." 



767. In 1804, " the corn-laws were altered for the third time, and the bounty on exportation was paid 

 till the price of wheat was 48s. per quarter; and at 54s. exportation was prohibited. The high duty of 

 24s. 3d. was payable on importation till the price was 63s. ; above 63s. and under (^&s. a duty of 2s. 6d. ; 

 and above 66s. the low duty of Qd. By an act in 1805, importation into any part of Britain is to be regu- 

 lated by the aggregate average price of the twelve maritime districts of England. Importation was 

 never stopped under the law of 1804, till February 1815. 



768. During the twenty-two years preceding 1821, about sixty millions of pounds sterling have been 

 paid for foreign grain. " In bad seasons the prices have been enhanced to a most alarming degree, not- 

 withstanding large bounties have been paid on importation. The average price of every successive period 

 of ten years, from 1765 to 1814, has risen considerably ; and since 1795, the price has been seldom less 

 than double the average of the first sixty years of the last century." 



769. The corn-laws since 1814 have undergone a change in almost every session of 

 parliament. According to the corn act of 1828, foreign corn is admitted at 52s. per 

 imperial quarter for a duty of 34s. 8rf. per quarter, and from 52s. to 73s. at a graduated 

 scale of duties, being admitted at the latter price at Is. per quarter. Barley at 24s. is 

 admitted on a duty of 25s. lOrf. per quarter, and from 24s. to 41s. on a graduated scale of 

 duties ; so that at the latter price it is admitted at 1 s. per quarter. Oats are admitted at 

 18s. per quarter, at a duty of 19s. 9d. per quarter, and from 18s. to 31s. on a graduated 

 scale of duties ; so that at the latter price the duty is Is. per quarter. In like manner 

 rye, peas, and beans, when at 29*. are admitted at 25s. 9d. per quarter, and when at 

 46s. at Is. (Quar. Jour, of Agriculture, vol. i. p. 228.) 



770. Agriculture in Scotland was at low ebb at the period of the revolution. " The 

 calamity of that evil had so oppressed the tenantry of Scotland, that many farms re- 

 mained unoccupied. Proprietors were then as eager in searching after tenants who were 

 able to stock and cultivate the ground, as farmers were assiduous in seeking after farms 

 previously to the late general peace. Improvements began to be made soon after the union, 

 especially by some gentlemen of East Lothian, and by the efforts of the Agricultural 

 Society of Scotland, established in 1723. It was now found beneficial to grant long 

 leases, which were found greatly to increase the skill and industry of the tenants, by 

 rendering them secure of enjoying the benefit of their improvements. A great stimulus 

 was also given to farmers by the money circulated during the rebellion of 1745, which 

 raised prices, and increased the tenants' capital stock." 



771. A desire to improve the roads of Scotland now began to manifest itself among the 

 proprietors. The first act of parliament for collecting tolls on the highways in Scotland, 

 was passed in 1 750, for repairing the road from Dunglass bridge to Haddington. In 



