Agricultural Statistics. 
The most striking feature observable in the statistical returns 
of Irish produce is the regular diminution, three years consecu- 
tively, in the total under crop. Tliis is probably more apparent 
than real, in great measure arising from increased accuracy of 
measurement, which, as we have already seen, is apt in the 
collection of statistics to lead rather to reduction than increase 
of reported quantity. 
In the preceding page is a diagram of the actual comparative 
areas of the several parts of the United Kingdom, in correction 
of the effect upon the eye of the different scales on which it has 
been necessary to draw them, above. In INIr. Maxwell's Statistical 
Returns of Scotland, the Islands are not included. 
So much for the statistical returns of Scotland and Ireland. 
As far as these portions of the United Kingdom are concerned 
the task is actually accomplished, and a body of the most im- 
portant evidence has been furnished, which only requires for its 
completeness — we might almost say, for its true utility — the 
performance of the corresponding task in England and Wales. 
Reference has already been made to the fact that in all informa- 
tion of this kind the relative even exceeds the positive value. In 
this great national Rule of Three sum, to be without the largest 
and most important element of our statement, makes all effectual 
working of results liable to deception. The two wings of our 
edifice are complete : the body of the building is Avanting, or 
at least so imperfect, that all solid calculation is at fault. It is 
a thing: too mortifving: to believe that the agriculturists of England 
have ever seriously declined or hesitated to perform their part in 
this most useful national inquiry. We would rather believe — 
and we do believe — that the attempt, and not the deed, con- 
founded us that the mode in which they were appealed to was 
erroneous. Evidence of this has been sufficiently adduced on 
the part of those whose admission is conclusive ; leading to the 
conclusion that nothing is really wanting but the adoption of a 
system specifically suited to the end in view, and which the 
agriculturists, as a body, can recognise as the natural and proper 
channel of communication between the Government and them- 
selves. What else was meant by the word ' constitutional^^ To 
our humble thinking that word contains a suggestion at once 
appropriate and afiirmative. It seems to be pregnant with 
meanings that only the tongue of Englishmen can so combine, 
expressive at once of the love of law and of liberty, and of the re- 
sulting propriety that approves the right channel for doing the 
right thing; and which, done in the right way, will surely need 
as little of penalty or compulsion as amongst our brother agricul- 
turists in the North. In favour of this view we need only quote 
what Mr. Elall Maxwell says on the same question as applied to 
Scotland : — 
