346 RURAL ECONOMY OF ENGLAND. 



poverty of the cultivator was reacting upon the land. 

 The absence of capital was apparent almost everywhere. 

 In favoured parts, the natural richness of the soil, indeed, 

 made up for what was otherwise lacking ; but where this 

 resource failed, the misery was frightful. 



Of the two capitals which contribute to rural produc- 

 tion, the principal one sunk capital, that which con- 

 sists of all kinds of works, which in process of time 

 accumulate upon, and are incorporated with, the soil, 

 while bringing it into a proper state of productiveness, 

 including buildings, fences, roads, improvers, drainage, and 

 appropriations to special crops was almost altogether 

 wanting. Gentlemen's parks, to be sure, were kept up with 

 a care equal to those in England ; but whereas in the 

 latter country it was often impossible to distinguish the 

 farm from the park, a most distressing contrast showed 

 itself in Ireland as soon as the bounds of the reserved 

 enclosure were passed. No more ditches for carrying off 

 the water ; no trees, hedges, and well-kept fences, nor trim 

 and well-defined roads ; everywhere bare and neglected 

 land no further labour bestowed upon it than was 

 absolutely necessary ; no longer those pretty English 

 farm-houses covered with clematis and honeysuckle, with 

 their offices always convenient, and often ornamental, 

 but instead, mud cabins built by the tenant himself, and 

 never repaired by the landlord. 



The second, or working capital, consisting of cattle, 

 implements, seeds, and harvests stored, were not so 

 entirely wanting, because it is less possible to do without 

 them. The quantity of large cattle was not so deficient, 

 owing to the immense facilities for feeding them afforded 

 by the general and spontaneous growth of grass ; but 

 still the number was much less than might and ought to 



