History of Agricultural Rent in England 33 



have the effect anticipated of a great and 

 immediate fall in rents. The cost of 

 transport were still great, the foreign wheat- 

 lands were only partially opened up, and 

 the town population of this country was 

 rapidly increasing. 



Up to the early seventies there was little 

 fall in the price of corn ; whilst as regards 

 other forms of produce, there was in most 

 cases a considerable rise. At the same time, 

 also, the improvements in agriculture con- 

 tinued, and of course the amount of 

 produce per acre increased, and the expenses 

 did not increase in proportion. 



During this period, also, the tenants more 

 and more took an active part in the im- 

 provement of agriculture. And with this 

 increase of enterprise on their part, greater 

 security was given by the landowner for 

 the investment of capital — in Scotland by 



the method of improving leases, and in 



c 



