340 AGRICULTURAL SURVEY OF chap. XVI. 



question might render necessary. The profits 

 presently arising from them, cannot countervail 

 a tenth part of the damage they occasion. If 

 this large tract of excellent land, at this moment 

 of comparatively little value, were brought un- 

 der the plough, and completely improved, be- 

 sides the great benefit resulting from it to the 

 proprietors and tenants, what a considerable ad- 

 dition would it make to the produce of the dis- 

 trict where it lies. Sucli parts of this ground 

 as have been in crop, have been known to yield 

 1 6 bolls of oats from the acre, and the oats of 

 such excellent quality as to produce 1 6 pecks of 

 meal per boll. 



This being the case, it must be an object of 

 importance to have the evil remedied as soon 

 as possible. It is natural for man to be tena- 

 cious of his rights. But surely no gentleman 

 of liberal sentiments will obstinately hold rights, 

 manifestly injurious to his neighbours and to 

 the public, when full compensation is offered. 

 I must own, however, that where very great 

 advantages result to the public, from the renun-. 

 ciation of private rights, it is highly reasonable 

 that the person who gives up his private rights, 

 should have some share, at least, of these ad- 

 vantages. The value, therefore, of the mills in 

 question ought to be estimated on the most 

 liberal principles. And when this is done, let 

 the several proprietors pay in proportion to the 

 quantity and quality of the lands benefited by 

 the removal of the mills ; and let the tenants 

 pay the interest of the money thus laid out, 

 during the currency of their present leases ; to 

 which terms their own intereft will lead them 



