THE GEOSS PRODUCE. 75 



This superiority in production is shown besides by two 

 facts, which serve to prove the statistical figures. The 

 first is, the condition of the population ; the second, the 

 selling price of the land. 



By the census of 1841, the total population of the 

 United Kingdom was twenty-seven millions of souls, and 

 that of France thirty-four. Thus, while the United 

 Kingdom maintained nearly one head per hectare, France 

 maintained one only per hectare and a half. Supposing 

 the rate of consumption in both countries to be the same 

 which it should be in the aggregate, for if the English 

 population consume more than the French, the Irish con- 

 sume less we arrive at a result nearly equal to that 

 obtained by a comparison of the production of both agri- 

 cultures. The difference is slightly in favour of the 

 United Kingdom ; but this is again adjusted by the im- 

 portation of bread-stuffs. 



If we divide the two populations into regions, the com- 

 parison gives us detailed results, which only confirm those 

 of the aggregate. 



In 1841, England proper, even including Wales, main- 

 tained a population of four to 3 hectares, which we find 

 to be the case in those departments of France where 

 production is as high. Scotland, as a whole, maintained 

 only one head for every 3 hectares, and our central 

 region one to 2. Ireland counted one head per hec- 

 tare, and our south-west region one to 2, which indi- 

 cates for Ireland a production equal to double ; but 

 the unfortunate Irish being not nearly so well fed as our 

 people, the account becomes readjusted. 



With respect to the average value of the land, which 

 is usually estimated by its productiveness, that of Eng- 

 land proper was worth 40 per acre, or 2500 francs per 



