212 



THE AUTHOR REFUTES 



because of the indirect advantages which my pen would fail me 

 to enumerate." 



I repeat my firm conviction^ that ten shillings per acre net 

 profit is more than has been realized upon the average farms 

 in Norfolk during the past seven years. On the contrary^ Mr. 

 Gower informs the public, that his profits are SI. 2s. 3d. per 

 acre for oats, 71. 9s. Sd. for wheat, and 3/. for straw. Or, in 

 other words, 1500^. per year for corn, and 750/. for straw, from 

 one moiety of his farm consisting of 500 acres ; an account 

 which, however fabulous, will doubtless be promulgated with 

 avidity by the Anti-Corn-Law League as a confirmation of 

 Mr. Rous's recent comparisons on the same subject. Indeed, 

 I should not be at all surprised to learn, that the following 

 placard was handed about the streets of all manufacturing 

 towns : — 



" Extraordinary profits of Norfolk farmers, — 

 1500Z. for Corn. 

 750/. for Straw. 



" Grand Total 2250 Pounds sterling, net profit from 250 

 acres of land at Dilham. 

 ^'The truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth." 



Let it not be supposed that I treat this subject with levity. 

 The above calculation was suggested to me by a practical far- 

 mer, who, with many intelligent agriculturists in this and other 

 counties, warrants me in declaring, that he has not added a 

 shilling to his capital by farming during the past seven years. 

 They all consider that Mr. Gower's mistakes are fraught with 

 dangerous consequences ; and that it will be in vain to oppose 

 the rage for free trade if Norfolk farmers exaggerate their 

 profits. Mr. Gower occupies 500 acres of first-rate land, to 

 the superior cultivation of which I can cheerfully testify. It 

 is hoped that he will favour the public with a clear debtor 

 and creditor report from his farm-accounts, in order that it 

 may be fully ascertained, — 1st, whether his profits on oats and 

 wheat are fifteen pounds or fifteen pence per acre ; 2ndly, whe- 

 ther any material value can be attached to the straw beyond 



