CHAPTER V. 



Mode of Occupation. 



SECTION I. 

 SIZE OF F4RMS. 



1 ARMS in this county, in respect of extent, 

 differ much from one another. They are found 

 of all sizes, from 50 or 60 acres to 400 or 500 

 acres. The average perhaps may be 120 acres. 

 There are, besides, many tenements from 50 

 acres downward to 8 or 10. But few of these 

 are occupied by actual farmers. Many of them 

 are the property of small heritors ; and many of 

 them are taken by manufacturers, tradesmen, 

 mechanics, and others, merely for convenience or 

 amusement, who do not depend upon their pro- 

 duce for the support of their families, or the 

 payment of the rent. 



The question refpecting the size of farms has 

 been much agitated. Some have argued that 

 large farms are most favourable to population, 

 and'to the complete and rapid cultivation of the 

 soil ; whilst others have insisted that small farms 

 are best calculated to produce these advantages. 

 But as the arguments on both sides appear to be 

 equally conclusive, it is presumeable that both 

 may be wrong. The truth is, the actual diver- 

 sity of land, in respect of situation, quality, and 



