160 RURAL ECONOMY OF ENGLAND. 



are directed from all parts to the towns, where they 

 are paid for by manufactured goods. Consequently the 

 lease becomes possible, and in fact introduces itself. This 

 is the true cause of the lease ; its existence is a sure 

 indication of an economical condition, where the sale of 

 commodities is the rule, and where, consequently, farming 

 may become a specific branch of industry. 



This industry begins as soon as a regular market for 

 it is opened that is to say, as soon as the industrial 

 and commercial populations exceed a certain proportion, 

 whether it be immediately on the spot, or at a sufficiently 

 moderate distance, with easy means of communication, 

 so that the expenses of transit do not absorb the profits : 

 it becomes more and more flourishing as the market be- 

 comes greater and more approachable that is, the nearer 

 its vicinity to large towns or great centres of manufacture. 

 In that case the market suffices to create profits which 

 rapidly increase capital, farming becomes more and more 

 prosperous, and progresses towards its maximum. This 

 is the case in the departments nearest to Paris. About 

 one-half of France is more or less in this position, the 

 other half possesses only uncertain markets : nothing is 

 easier than to distinguish the two at a glance, in the 

 one the lease prevails, in the other the metayer system. 



In England, the half without markets has long ceased 

 to exist ; in all parts the rural population finds itself near 

 another community ; everywhere the outlet for its pro- 

 duce is as large as in the best parts of France, and in 

 some places much greater. This makes the difference 

 between the two agricultures. Take those parts of both 

 France and England where the outlet is equal, and of 

 as long standing, because time must be reckoned in the 

 comparison, and you will most certainly find a similar 

 agricultural development, whatever be the conditions 



