224 RUKAL ECONOMY OF ENGLAND. 



miserable and neglected state than those in the south at 

 the present day, and their poor and sandy character 

 seemed to offer far fewer resources to the cultivator. It 

 was never thought possible to turn the greater part of 

 them to better account than as large rabbit-warrens ; 

 but now they rank among the richest and best. What 

 mercantile adventure, moderate-sized farming, permanent 

 stabulation, drainage, and steam, have done in our day 

 for stiff lands, large property, large farming, and the four- 

 course rotation accomplished then for light soils. 



Arthur Young was born in the county of Suffolk, and, 

 like all great men, made his appearance just at the proper 

 time. He came when, an impetus having been given 

 to the industrial arts, it became necessary to think 

 about increasing the production of food with a dimin- 

 ished number of hands, in order to supply the wants of 

 the new population which was about to crowd the 

 workshops. At the same time the revolutionary state 

 of France fostered the aristocratic feeling in England. 

 Money in those days was not so plentiful as now, and large 

 amounts of capital were confined to a few hands. Every- 

 thing tended to favour large property and large farming, 

 and the lands most free for the purpose were just those 

 best suited for carrying on large operations. Hence the 

 great success of Young's system, which up to the present 

 day has acted like a second charter for the English. 



Suffolk has not herself profited most by the example 

 which she set. No man is a prophet in his own country ; 

 and the ill success of Arthur Young as a farmer militated 

 against his authority as a reformer in his own neighbour- 

 hood. Besides, a large portion of the county partakes 

 of the clayey nature of the neighbouring soils to the 

 south ; in the north alone light soils are to be found, at 

 least to any extent. It is to Arthur Young especially 



