British Agriculture. 
2,2b = 59 
'04 ; peers, baronets, and sons of peers, 576 ; professional men, 
12 ; and about 3000 others in gradually diminishing pro- 
ortions, but comprising nearly every quality and calling, from 
he Crown to the mechanic, quarryman, and domestic servant. 
The influence of this change has not been confined to particular 
ounties, but has been more or less felt in all. It has made an 
ppreciable addition to the number of small landholders in 
England, bringing upon hitherto comparatively unproductive 
wastes the individual interest and intelligence of a numerous 
nd varied body of persons, by whose industry the best of these 
nds have been made not only useful to their owners, but have 
ecome available for sale and purchase, and, in their improved 
ndition, for bearing their just share of county and parish rates 
d public taxes. 
More than two thousand miles of public roads have been con- 
Tucted in connection with these enclosures since 1845, at the 
st of the common-right owners, in addition to the numerous 
commodation roads set out for their special use in giving 
nvenient access to their several allotments. Other works of 
public nature, such as embanking and straightening the course 
rivers connected with inclosures, have been executed. The 
lue of lands devoted to public objects, at the cost of the 
ners of common rights, is equal to one-eighth of the whole 
ue of the land inclosed. 
The total estimated value of the wastes inclosed amounts to 
140,000Z. The value of the land taken from the best of this 
T public purposes (comprising land for recreation, field-gardens, 
btic quarries, fuel, schools and churches, burial-grounds, 
•blic roads, and other purposes) has been estimated at 282,140/. 
b this must be added the cash, raised by rate, or sale of pro- 
rty, and expended on the construction of public roads and 
her public works connected w ith inclosures, 473,500/., making 
gather, 755,640/. Comparing this with the fee-simple value 
)ove mentioned, it appears that nearly one-eighth of the whole 
ilue of the wastes inclosed has, under the direction of the 
ommissioners, and with the assent of the proprietary interests, 
!en devoted to objects of public utility and convenience, 
bus, in the course of one generation, an extent of land equal to 
i.at of a county has been redeemed from a condition of waste, 
id has been divided among a far larger and more varied body 
landowners than that of any county in England. Valuable 
[iblic roads of great extent have been constructed, opening up 
|r business and pleasure many otherwise inaccessible localities, 
kd at no cost to the public. The area of production and em- 
byment has been increased, and in the same proportion that of 
iblic and local taxati(m has been extended. A great number 
Extent of 
public roads 
constructed, 
and value of 
lands devoted 
to public 
objects, at the 
cost of the 
owners of com- 
mon rights, 
equal te one- 
eighth of 
whole value 
of the land, 
inclosed. 
