Agricultural Capital and Profits 67 



imagine above half, or at most two-thirds, 

 of the nation cultivate clover. It is a 

 surprising number of years that are necessary 

 to introduce the culture of a new plant." 

 He adds : " If gentlemen of the present age 

 had not assumed a spirit in agriculture 

 vastly superior to former times, I much 

 question whether that excellent vegetable, 

 i.e., the clover, would make its way fairly 

 through the island in a thousand years." 



But agriculture at this time had become 

 the reigning taste. The pursuit was 

 universal. The profit was great from 

 14 to 20 per cent, on the capital was 

 common (Rogers). It was a bye-industry 

 with those who had other callings, 

 Physicians, lawyers, clergymen, soldiers, 

 sailors, and merchants were farmers as 

 well. The farming tribe, says Young, is 

 now made up of all ranks from a duke to 

 an apprentice. This fashion continued till 



