25 



er, and, in neither view, will lead to any in- 

 crease of supplies, all obstacles to its free pro- 

 gress should be removed. This is indeed the 

 whole length that the encouragement to im- 

 proving wastes, or turning grass lands into til- 

 lage, should or can go ; and, while thus free, 

 the interest of the farmer and the public al- 

 ways go together. 



The farmer, like the undertaker of every 

 other branch of industry, must lay his account 

 with the competition of every other person 

 who pursues the same, or any other trade, in a 

 lawful manner. If any other person pursue 

 his trade in the way of breaking up waste lands, 

 he does no more than he is entitled to, and 

 has no preference over those who cultivate the 

 more improved soils. The too rapid cultiva- 

 tion of wastes is a thing impossible, if left 

 wholly to private interest and industry, because 

 the inducement to that practice is only in pro- 

 portion to the high price, or scarcity of land 

 produce ; and as the scarcity is relieved, or 

 prices fall, the inducement to cultivate wastes 

 must fall in proportion. The operation of im- 

 proving wastes must therefore be gradual, and 

 suited to the public demands. The. public de- 

 mands, on the other hand, will adjust them- 

 selves to this natural and permanent increase 

 of produce, and the community will receive a 



