110 RURAL ECONOMY OF ENGLAND. 



ing ; these examples induce very many to become farmers 

 as a money-making profession ; while at the same time it 

 is one of the most agreeable, the most honourable, as well 

 as most healthy professions in which the mind and body 

 can be engaged. 



The advocates exclusively for large property pretend 

 that it was the means of bringing about the lease system : 

 this is a mistake ; leases are not found always in connec- 

 tion with large property. In Eussia, in Spain, and in 

 Hungary, there are large proprietors who have on their 

 estates metayers, peasants paying rent in labour (pay sans 

 de corvee), but no farmers ; in France, in the depart- 

 ments about Paris, it is middle-sized properties which 

 prevail, and there there are farmers. The lease system 

 consorts better with large property than with any other, 

 but it is compatible with all grades of property, even 

 with small. 



It is said that long leases are necessary to make farm- 

 ing pay, and that large properties can alone afford to 

 grant them ; this also is a mistake. Long leases are no 

 doubt advantageous, but they are not necessary. In 

 England they are almost unknown, or rather it happens 

 pretty frequently that they have no lease at all. Three- 

 fourths of the farms are held upon what is called tenancy 

 at will ; that is to say, on either side six months' notice 

 to quit may be given. I do not say that this is the best 

 contract ; I know that it is practicable only in certain 

 cases. I know, also, that at present the tendency in 

 England is to leases, and long leases too ; but I say, and 

 this cannot be denied, that the agricultural prosperity of 

 that country has arisen through farmers who, for the 

 most part, had only annual holdings. 



We already know what the working capital of these 

 farmers is. Before 1848, 8 per acre, or 500 francs per 



