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crop, from the pulling of the stalks to their preparation for 

 market, is work peculiarly adapted to the weaker hands. 

 Thus should we transfer to our own population those benefits 

 that involve no less a circulation than two or three millions in 

 the shape of wages, and this, too, amongst that portion of the 

 working classes whose services are not required to till the land. 

 Some idea may be formed of the direct benefits that would be 

 conferred by the distribution of so much money; but no estimate 

 can be formed of the indirect advantages to trade, to manufac- 

 tures, and to agriculture — because, as Mr. Burn observes, 

 in his valuable letters on " Population and Emigration" — 



"The poor would buy more agricultural produce, thus offer- 

 ing a better market for the farmers. They would also pur- 

 chase more clothes, thus equally benefiting the manufacturer. 

 Being better fed, they could do more for their employers; and 

 being more constantly occupied, would have less inducement 

 or leisure to commit crimes ; and, consequently, be more valu- 

 able members of society. They, and all around them, would 

 be happier comparatively, and more contented. The farmer, 

 having a better and more constant market for his produce, 

 could better afford to pay his rent. The manufacturer, hav- 

 ing a more constant demand for his goods, could better afford 

 to pay, and keep a larger number of hands constantly employed. 

 The landlord would have less to deduct for poor-rates, and 

 receive, in consequence, a larger income." * * * * ''In 

 our native land every experiment may be safely tried to im- 

 prove it. Nature points out the course, and it is a viola- 

 tion of her laws to retard it." This able writer further ob- 

 serves, "Food is wealth. Population is wealth. Since the 

 manna fell from Heaven in the Wilderness, food has been the 

 produce of man's labour. It invariably follows cultivation, 

 &nd in sufficient abundance for the wants of men. Some parties 

 then must be encouraged to cultivate the earth; and surely 

 it is obvious policy to pay home-cultivators rather than foreign," 



Mr. Burn's arguments in favour of providing food from our 

 own resources, are enforced with a solidity of reasoning rarely 

 to be met with. I refer to them because they are equally ap- 



