British Agriculture, 
311 = 45 
ion has thus been wholly in the interest of the landowner, 
specially it he is under settlement or entail, where the tenant 
)r life is otherwise unable to raise money for the improvement 
f his property. 
Besides the public and private loans spent on land improve- 
lent, a much larger sum has been laid out on the same object 
y landowners from their own resources. 
It mav be useful to consider in their order the several objects Land drainage 
f land-improvement, and the return they are capable of yielding: ''^ 
, ' . , .-^ ^ certainly re- 
nder suitable economical management. munerative 
The first improvement, in all cases where it is required, is improyements. 
rainage, for until the land is freed from stagnant water and 
lus rendered capable of yielding its fullest assistance to the 
irther efforts of the agriculturist, all other outlay is vain. 
here is never any difficulty in deciding upon the expediency 
drainage in these islands, because wherever it is required 
id is judiciously executed it at once becomes remunerative. 
he under drainage of arable and good grass-land, in a 
imate where drainage is advantageous, renders the land so 
uch warmer and more wholesome for plants and animals, 
erything upon it becomes so much more thrifty, and all 
)erations so much more easv and certain in their results, that 
is sure to pay. No doubt the increasing cost of labour and 
aterials is seriously felt, but the value oi land and of most 
nds of agricultural produce is likewise increasing. 
With regard to outlay on farm buildings, there is not the Greater 
me certainty of return. Farm buildings are of two kinds, caution re- 
ose for the accommodation of live-stock and the manipulation penditure on 
the crop, and those for the housing of the farmer and farm farm buildings. 
jourers. In regard to the first, it is only necessary to refer 
the increasing prices of live-stock to show the advantage 
making adequate and comfortable provision for their food 
1 shelter. But the time has sone bv for ffreat corn barns. 
e corn is now much more economically treated by stacking 
in the field where it grows, and threshing it out by loco- 
)tive engine-power when required. The partial conversion 
' these large barns into feeding-sheds, or in the grazing 
'Unties into haysheds, is the best mode of turning them to 
ount ; and where farm buildings have been kept by the 
iprietor in good repair, their conversion to objects of modern 
•>bandry need not be very costly. It is only where they have 
■n completely neglected, and require entire renewal, that the 
lense is greater than can be met by the immediate return. 
en then it is capable of proof that the economy of labour and 
lood, the better quality of the manure, and the greater thrift 
