Great Rents induced by Competition. 41 



a radical reform of the present disreputable 

 system. Hut how this is to be effected, as I 

 have before observed, is the question ? 



To the proprietors of lands under long leases 

 no temptation for any change can be offered. 

 An increased rent could not be had on the 

 consolidation of several small farms, while the 

 expenditure in buildings, even if that could be 

 insured, would be inconveniently borne, and 

 would be fatal to any idea of such an alteration. 



' ** 



The superior freshness and fertility of the 

 soil enables the husbandmen in Ireland to ob- 

 tain crops, with perhaps one-third of the manure 

 which is required in Great Britain ; were this 

 not the case, the country must long ago have 

 been excessively deteriorated. The richness 

 of the surface resists all the efforts of man to 

 sterilize it ; for, however just may be the cen- 

 sure of want of exertion on other occasions, I 

 must give the Irish credit for being very per- 

 severing in their endeavours for this purpose. 



When a farm becomes vacant, the smallness 

 of the capital required lor its occupation con- 

 tributes to the competition for it, and enhances 

 the rent beyond all prudent calculation. The 

 high prices of grain, with the privations to 



