k 



( '^'^7 ) 



orbitant poor-rates, there would be only a tri- 

 fling contribution required for the fupport of a 

 few old people and fatherlefs children. We 

 have all thefe refources before us : both land 

 and people already prepared. 



It is true there are many thoufand acres un- 

 inclofed, and very improperly employed. But 

 J am of opinion, that acre for acre, the com- 

 mons according to their value feed more llcck 

 than the inclofed lands. I have reafon to be- 

 lieve that inclofing of open common fields, 

 caufes a diminution of grain. From the ap- 

 pearance of ail old fwards, it is evident, they 

 have been ploughed and fown with corn.— 

 When inclofed, the land is divided into grafs- 

 fields, and feldom tilled ^ and on many thou- 

 fand acres of inclofed land the grafs grows to 

 very little purpofe, as it is either not above half 

 eaten, or covered with thiilles and other noxi- 

 ous weeds. In many parts of the kingdom,. ac- 

 cording to the prefent fyilem, four acres main- 

 tain, on an average, no more than one cow, or 

 one horfe, twelve months. I will undertake 

 to keep ten cows and ten pigs, and produce ten 

 acres of wheat every year upon twenty acres of 



this 



