452 Past and Present State of Agriculture in Ireland. 
dom of the very greatest importance, and for which the entire 
merit will be due to the Flax Improvement Society.* 
Having brought down the history of these societies to the 
present time, I cannot better conclude this imperfect account of 
the state of agriculture in this kingdom, than by expressing my 
fervent hopes that such exertions may be made both by landlord 
and tenant to increase the produce of the soil, and at the same 
time lower the cost of production, that they may be able mutually 
to escape the difficulties which now seem to be imjoending over 
them.f The general introduction of guano and bone-dust, which 
bids fair to take place at no distant period, by making up for the 
lamentable deficiency of farmyard manure which at present prevails, 
seems to me to offer the only solid foundation on which to rest any 
favourable expectations ; Lord Gosford and Colonel Close have 
imported largely for the use of their tenants, and no doubt many 
other landlords either have adopted, or soon Avill adopt the same 
practice, so as, if possible, to get the turnip-crop cultivated by 
supplying manure without the necessity of subtracting from that 
required for the cultivation of potatoes, which has always been the 
great bar to its introduction. One thing seems certain, that unless 
this result is accomplished by means of these new manures, or 
that they themselves become a sufficient substitute for the manure 
arising from that crop, there can be no rational expectation enter- 
tained that the required increase of produce can be obtained to 
meet the difficulties of the present times. 
Wm. Blacker. 
* Two gentlemen acquainted with the Belgian mode of treating the flax 
crop have settled in the north of Ireland, and are supposed to be carrying 
on a good business in flax-dressing ; but, as their object is individual profit, 
they cannot be expected to bring their practice to the above-mentioned 
test, which would eventually destroy their own trade. 
t When I refer to increased produce as a remedy for present low prices, 
I do not mean to assert that it will be sufficient to compensate the farmer if 
carried to an unlimited extent. It is only true as long as the increase of 
crop is in proportion to the fall in price ; but if from an over supply an- 
nually increasing the fall in price exceeds that proportion, the farmer can 
no longer be indemnified thereby, and this is sure to take place whenever 
the produce exceeds for any length of time the consumption. 
