

CHAPTER IV. 



TENANT-FARMERS. 



SECTION 1. Farmers as a Class. 



As is the case in every occupation in which a large number of persons 

 are engaged, we find amongst farmers great diversity of character, 

 means, and attainments. The farming class includes men of every ima- 

 ginable description and reputation, from the most honourable and up- 

 right down to those who would not hesitate to take every kind of 

 advantage of their neighbours, when they could find a safe opportunity 

 of doing so. In it we find also men possessed of very considerable 

 wealth more than equal, in this respect, to meet any demands likely to 

 be made on them in their circumstances ; while we find also men of 

 more moderate means, able only to carry on their business profitably, 

 and also men who are so much straitened in their circumstances as to 

 be in a state of comparative poverty. In it we find also men possessed 

 of strong natural talents, and of high attainments, fully qualified to carry 

 ou their business on enlightened principles ; while, of course, a large 

 proportion are men of moderate capacity and attainments, sufficient to 

 enable them to conduct their business in the usual routine way; and not 

 an inconsiderable proportion are so ill-informed and unskilful as not to 

 be able to conduct their concerns in such a way as to insure either profit 

 or comfort to themselves, or those with whom they have to deal. 



This great variety of character is only what is to be expected in a 

 class of men made up of all grades of society; for here we find retired 

 merchants and tradesmen, with professional men of every description, 

 besides those who have been brought up as cultivators of the soil ; and 

 hence we find all kinds of management on the different subjects held, 

 according to the views entertained by the respective parties, which are, 

 of course, biased according to the peculiar training each has had in his 

 earlier pursuits and habits in life. * 



Takiug farmers as a class, there are few, in comparison to their num- 

 bers, who have made rapid strides in the improvement of their farms, 



