24 SIZE OF FARMSv 



ment ofoiir country. Our ancestors found a wnfTcrnegf 

 unoccupied except by sarages. Those who fixed them- 

 seWes in the country, when lands were cheap, naturally 

 estimated their riches by the number,, rather than by 

 the prodi^ctive power of their acras^ Two, three, or 

 four hundred acres were' thought, at first, to be suitable 

 for a farm. Afterwards, when population- became in- 

 creased and lands divided, the idea-^ of farmers settled 

 dov/n to the opinion, that from 80 to 1 50 acres, was 

 sufficient for the independent support of a family. Up- 

 on less than 80 acres, though a mati might find ways 

 and means to live, yet it was thought he could not ex- 

 pect greatly to thrive. Accordingly tiie fii-st effect of 

 thriving among men of that size of farms, was generally 

 evidenced by the purchase of more land. Often these pur- 

 chases were made at the risk of embarrassment by debt 

 and almost always to the real injury of such farmers, 

 whose surplus capital, or even their borrowed capital, 

 would bavebeen generally much better employed, in 

 improving the lands they possessed, rather than in the 

 purchase of more acres- 



With respect to men possessing only 30 or 40 acres, 

 they scarcely ventured to call their possessions by the 

 name of afarm^ so little is such an extent of land in gen- 

 eral estimation, entitled to the use of that term. If 

 they attempted to live and bring up aiamily upon them, 

 they for the most part looked to other employment for 

 their support. Turning mechanics, or hireing them- 

 selves out at the most valuable season of the year, to 

 their richer neighbour*^ or abandoning their own farm 

 to tenants, and taking leases of farms, comprehending 

 a greater extent oflaad, and so much better calculated 

 to give that ful'; cmplayment to their activity, which to. 

 their mistaken apprehension, a farm of 30 or 40 acres 

 did not auord. Until of late years, opinions and con- 



