154 
Supplementary  Memoranda,  8fc. 
and  are  more  inclined  to  draw  money  from  the  estate  than  to  lay  out  any 
upon  its  improvements  ; they  view  most  things  through  the  medium  of  the 
law,  and  hence  often  disturb  that  kindly  feeling  that  should  exist  between 
landlord  and  tenant.  Stringently  drawn  leases,  hard-and-fast  law,  are  not 
the  best  ways  to  further  the  lauded  interest  and  the  profitable  cultivation  of 
the  soil. 
It  also  happens  that  the  management  of  an  estate  in  Scotland  is  placed  in 
hands  of  lawyers  in  large  towns  who  are  apt  to  employ  men  of  the  same  pro- 
fession in  small  towns  in  the  country  who  have  also  little  knowledge  of 
practical  agriculture  in  preference  to  experienced  local  estate  factors  who  are 
practically  acquainted  with  the  management  and  cultivation  of  the  soil. 
These  estates  themselves  suffer  from  more  ways  than  one,  and  the  tenants 
upon  them  also  suffer. 
I am  strongly  of  opinion  that  the  Report,  after  the  distinct  evidence  upon 
that  point,  should  have  called  attention  to  the  subject,  and  recommended 
lauded  proprietors  to  employ  in  the  management  of  their  estates  local  factors 
who  are  practically  acquainted  with  agriculture,  and  who  know  how  to 
encourage  its  advancement  in  every  way. 
It  is  gratifying  to  see  from  evidence  that  several  of  our  largest  and  best  pro- 
prietors form  an  exception  to  the  above  rule,  for  they  employ  both  trained  and 
practical  men  as  managing  factors  on  their  estates,  greatly  to  their  own 
advantage  and  to  that  of  the  tenants  and  labourers. 
7.  Emigration. — Evidence  has  been  given  that  farmers’  sons  and  agricul- 
tural labourers  are  leaving  the  country  in  increasing  numbers,  and  it  is  highly 
probable  that  this  exodus  will  continue  unless  a prospect  of  higher  remuner- 
ation to  both  classes  can  be  held  out.  A growing  scarcity  of  labour  and  the 
withdrawal  from  the  country  of  large  numbers  of  young  farmers  is  a serious 
evil  threatening  the  future  of  our  agriculture  ; and  it  must  be  borne  in  mind 
that  while  it  is  easy  to  drive  off  those  whose  experience  and  taste  fit  them  for 
the  successful  cultivation  of  its  soil,  it  is  very  difficult  to  recall  them,  and 
almost  impossible  to  replace  them. 
John  Clay. 
5. — By  Mr.  Howard. 
"With  the  exception  of  the  recommendation  as  to  the  Law  of  Distress,  the 
Report  has  my  full  concurrence.  I consider  the  Law  of  Distress  of  no  ad- 
vantage to  the  best  and  largest  landlords,  who,  seldom,  if  ever,  avail  themselves 
of  their  powers ; it  is  only  of  service  to  those  landlords  who,  with  this  State 
guarantee,  secure  from  tenants  they  would  not  otherwise  have  selected  a high 
rent,  paid  in  many  cases  at  the  expense  of  others.  It  is  a preferential  law 
unfair  to  other  creditors,  and,  in  my  opinion,  should  be  abolished. 
Charles  Howard. 
6. — By  Mr.  Paterson. 
Though  signing  the  Beport,  I find  it  incumbent  on  me  to  enter  my  dissent 
to  the  proposals  in  regard  to  the  maintenance  of  the  in-door  poor,  and  in 
regard  to  the  Law  of  Distress. 
While  agreeing  in  the  principle  of  rating  personality  for  the  maintenance  of 
the  poor,  and  for  other  burdens  at  present  levied  entirely  on  real  property, 
I am  unable  to  agree  in  the  proposal  of  throwing  the  support  of  the  in-door 
poor  in  England  and  Scotland  on  the  Consolidated  Fund,  for  by  so  doing  a 
heavy  burden  would  devolve  on  Scotland  for  the  support  of  the  poor  of 
England. 
