342 AGRICULTURAL SURVEY OF chap. Xn, 



Draining is, in all cases, equally necessary, 

 and in many cases, more necessary, than inclos- 

 ing. There is, therefore, as strong a reason, at 

 least, for the Legislature interposing in the for- 

 mer case, as in the latter. 



$tbly, Entails. The effect of entailing lands, 

 as a bar to improvement, was shortly stated in 

 a former part of this survey. To what was then 

 said, I shall only add here, that as the proprie- 

 tors of estates strictly tailzied, are prevented 

 from laying out money themselves, to any con- 

 siderable amount, for the improvement of their 

 lands, so they cannot let them to tenants on 

 such terms as will encourage them to make any 

 extensive or lasting improvements. Seldom do 

 entails admit of leases of longer endurance than 

 19 years ; a period too short to induce the tenants 

 to take the whole burden upon themselves. 



It is true, an act of Parliament was passed in 

 the loth of his present Majesty, entitling heirs 

 of entail to improve their estates by granting 

 leases, building farm-houses, draining, enclosing, 

 and excambing, under certain limitations, and 

 to claim repayment of three fourths of the ex- 

 pence from the next heir of entail. By this law, 

 the effect of entails, as a bar to improvement, is 

 partially, indeed, but not completely removed. 

 Upon looking into the act itself, we find that 

 the proprietor may grant leases of 31 years en- 

 durance, upon all uninclosed lands ; but if en- 

 closed, whatever their condition may otherwise 

 be, the duration of the lease is limited to 19 years. 

 According to the act, no lease can be granted till 

 the former lease be determined, or if for a term 

 certain., be within a year of being determined ; 



