150 Of Systems of Agriculture Bk. iii. 



gained in rents, and the disposable income re- 

 mains comparatively unimpaired. 



Another eminent advantage possessed by a na- 

 tion which is rich in land, as well as in commerce 

 and manufactures, is, that the progress of its 

 wealth and population is in a comparatively slight 

 degree dependent upon the state and progress of 

 other countries. A nation, whose wealth depends 

 exclusively on manufactures and commerce, can- 

 not increase without an increase in the raw pro- 

 ducts of the countries with which it trades ; or 

 taking away a share of what they have been in 

 the habit of actually consuming, which will rarely 

 be parted with; and thus the ignorance and indo- 

 lence of others may not only be prejudicial, but 

 fatal to its progress. 



A country with resources in land can never 

 be exposed to these inconveniences ; and if its 

 industry, ingenuity, and economy increase, its 

 wealth and population will increase, whatever 

 may be the situation and conduct of the nations 

 with which it trades. When its manufacturing- 

 capital becomes redundant, and manufactured 

 commodities are too cheap, it will have no occa- 

 sion to wait for the increasing raw products of its 

 neighbours. The transfer of its own redundant 

 capital to its own land will raise fresh products, 

 against which its manufactures may be exchanged, 

 and by the double operation of diminishing com- 

 paratively the supply, and increasing the demand, 

 enhance their price. A similar operation, when 

 raw produce is too abundant, will restore the 



