THE KERRY BREED. 79 



time of snow, these depredators, like the locusts of Egypt, 

 devoured every thing before them. I have lost at one time 

 two thousand head of curled kale. They get no winter fod- 

 der but what they can steal." 



These remarks applied to the smaller races of the bogs 

 and mountains, and are still partially applicable. The long- 

 woolled Sheep of the richer country are under different cir- 

 cumstances, and will be referred to hereafter. The means 

 by which the more neglected races can be improved, are the 

 same as in other cases have been adopted, a system of judi- 

 cious crossing, or the substitution of superior breeds, and a 

 better system of feeding and general treatment. 



But when we speak of defects in the husbandry of Ireland, 

 we must remember that the removal of them is not always 

 within the reach of common remedies. The evil may be seen, 

 but the source of it may lie in the condition of the people, 

 the state of property, and the relations between landlord and 

 tenant. Six hundred years ago, Ireland was subjugated by 

 her avaricious neighbour, and successive rebellions led to 

 repeated overthrows, and to renewed plunder. The country 

 was divided amongst the conquerors and their adherents, and 

 for ages a great part of the disposable produce was with- 

 drawn. Absenteeism became the habit of the favoured few ; 

 and at this hour, a larger tribute is thus imposed upon the 

 industry of the country than any conqueror ever imposed 

 upon a subject colony ; and the country is poor, her labourers 

 are unemployed, and her population is discontented, notwith- 

 standing that she exports the largest quantity of raw produce 

 of any country in the world of the same extent. One effect 

 results from this destitution, that there is no barrier between 

 the tenant and the demands of the receiver of rents. In 

 England, the habits and condition of the people are opposed 

 to an excessive exaction on the industry of the farmer. The 

 English yeoman will not take land at all unless he has the 

 means to live, and to obtain a fitting return from his capital 



