in Lancashire, Cheshire, and North Wales. 
407 
constitutions of his patients. The merchant gives credit to 
those of his customers whom he knows he can trust, and the 
farmer must give credit in manures to the fields which he knows 
will repay the outlay. Thus, by keeping an accurate account of 
the produce of each field, also the manures applied to it, much 
valuable information may be obtained. 
Yearly Tenure. 
Before giving the opinion of the Judges upon the various 
farms, I would here make a few observations on the terms of 
occupancy. Of the whole number of competing farms, there 
was only one farmer who had a lease (21 years) ; the others were 
yearly tenants, mostly subject to two years' notice. This system 
is cried down as being an insurmountable evil and complete 
barrier to agricultural improvement. But I am happy to say 
that our experience of its effects in regard to this inspection is 
not so. We found a perfect confidence existing betwixt land- 
lord and tenant ; and so far from being a barrier to improve- 
ment, it will be seen, when details of the various farms in 
competition are given, how completely these particulars refute 
that statement ! There were tenants who had occupied the 
farms, from father to son, who confidently and boldly carried 
on all improvements. Indeed, my own faith in leases is in a 
great degree shaken. Generally at the end of a lease a fresh 
valuation is taken, often before the improvements have recouped 
the tenant under his present lease ; the yearly tenant goes on 
from year to year. Where extra buildings are required (and 
in some instances the benefit of an increase of them might be 
suggested), the money could be borrowed from one of the Lands 
Improvement Companies, and both principal and interest repaid 
at 6i per cent, in 25 years. Tenants who require extra build- 
ings might apply for the required outlay, if necessary ; its 
advantages will repay the 6^ per cent., and this percentage 
strengthens further t the bond of union betwixt landlord and 
tenant. The landlord must see the advantage of having the 
value of his steading thus increased, and will naturally look to 
the tenant who made this venture to clear off the debt. In short, 
this building-loan almost insures the tenant all the privileges of 
a lease, as far as security of tenure goes. What added much to 
the pleasure of the inspection was the feeling of hearty good-will 
existing in the hearts of the tenants to their landlords. 
The entries were all made by the 1st of October, 1876. The 
Council oi the Royal Society had recommended that three in- 
spections be made : one during winter, in order to judge of the 
stock and root-crops of the farms ; the second to take pk.ee in 
the end of April or beginning of May, to judge of the spring 
