CONCLUSION 



Custom would seem to demand a pessimistic 

 outlook with regard to agriculture. But, while 

 we do not propose to attempt a forecast of the 

 future, the present appears to call for no undue 

 anxiety. The trend of modern civilization 

 exacts from the industry far heavier and 

 graver responsibilities than it has hitherto had 

 to meet. These responsibilities, which will 

 ultimately increase rather than decrease, are 

 not being adequately fulfilled, and the existing 

 organization is not sufficiently elastic to allow 

 the industry to successfully adapt itself to the 

 new demands. That there is any need for an 

 immense reconstruction is entirely an exag- 

 gerated conception of the present difficulties. 

 The system of landlord and tenant was un- 

 doubtedly the best for the farmer during the 

 last century : in many ways it is the most 

 pleasant and cheapest for him now. But re- 

 cent events prove that under certain circum- 



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