LARGE AND SMALL ESTATES. 227 



It cannot be denied that the first interest of agriculture 

 is to produce the greatest possible amount upon a limited 

 extent of soil, and to furnish produce' at the lowest price 

 to the consumer : now, in this case, all the advantage is 

 in favor of the small proprietor ; he cultivates the soil 

 himself, and brings to his labor all the interest of a pro- 

 prietor ; he labors only at the most favorable times, and 

 gives his unoccupied time, for wages, to the work of 

 others : the large proprietor is not at liberty to be thus 

 guided by his convenience ; ho is hurried along and com- 

 manded by time and labor. 



The small proprietor leaves no part of his ground un- 

 occupied ; he cultivates steep banks with pulse ; plants 

 potatoes in any vacant space in his vineyard : the large 

 proprietor neglects all these details. 



2. The lodfare of the state. 



It is generally admitted, that the large domains, which 

 have been divided in consequence of the revolution, pro- 

 duce much more than they did ; that uncultivated lands, 

 especially in the south, are now covered with noble vine- 

 yards ; that prosperity has prevailed in the country from the 

 increase of the number of proprietors. 



These undeniable facts have produced important ad- 

 vantages ; the increase of produce has furnished means for 

 the subsistence of a more numerous population. Wealth, 

 introduced among the inhabitants of the country, has 

 enabled them to maintain their children, and give them a 

 better education ; the consumption of produce of all kinds 

 has increased, and agriculture and manufactures have found 

 larger markets for their products. 



So long as twelve years ago (I write in 1826), the 

 amount of taxable quotas in the land-tax was ten millions 

 four hundred and fourteen thousand one hundred and 

 twenty-one, according to the last lists furnished by the 

 Duke de Gaeta. The taxable quotas under 500 francs 

 amounted to nine millions nine hundred and fifteen 

 thousand. Since that time the number of quotas has in- 

 creased, and particularly the smaller ones. And never has 

 the land-tax been more regularly paid. 



Another advantage resulting to the state fi-om the di- 

 vision of property, has been that of rendering changes 

 more frequent, a natural result of the increased number 

 of proprietors : these changes, as they become more nu- 

 merous, bring much more money into the treasury. 



