Agriculture of Nottinghamshire. 
39 
through the eye of the political economist, but one which ad- 
dresses itself to our best feelings as men, and to effect a remedy 
for which demands our best energies. 
Let us therefore seek to show the poor and honest man that he 
is cared for, and that his interests and happiness are identical with 
our own ; and seek, before it be too late, to raise his broken spirit 
and dejected mien — to restore to him that feeling of independence 
which results from his respecting himself, and is the cause of his 
being respected by others. Asa means to so desirable an end, 
let him have something in which to interest himself, and in the 
success of which he is directly concerned ; and nothing offers so 
rational an object of his care as his own small holding of land. 
We do not propose to enter into the minutiae of the question, 
as to what is the most desirable quantity for each individual to 
hold, or what the proper amount of rental, with many other 
details which experience alone can determine ; but shall content 
ourselves with referring to the humane and truly noble example 
which has been offered to the imitation of the landowners of 
Nottinghamshire by his Grace the Duke of Newcastle. We 
know from his Grace's agent, Mr. Wilmot, that after long ex- 
perience of the system as tried by him the result has proved 
most satisfactory ; that a tenant holding an allotment under his 
Grace is scarcely ever in arrear with his rent; that, on the con- 
trary, it is paid most punctually, and with an expression of grati- 
tude as for a favour received — a benefit conferred ; and when it 
is stated that the Duke of Newcastle has let off upon his estates 
about 2000 gardens, it will be admitted that an opinion from Mr. 
Wdmot has more than ordinary weight. 
The rate of wages in this county is higher than the average 
throughout the country. Even with the present depressed prices, 
we believe that 2s. per day is more generally given than anything 
lower ; and when the price of produce will admit, it is raised to 
2s. 3<f. a-day. When the work is task-work, the labourer will 
frequently make 2s. Gt?. or 3s. a-day during the summer months. 
W^here men have constant employment with such wages, they 
may be considered as well enough off ; but it is the absence in 
some parts of the county, and particularly so in the clay districts 
during the winter months, of constant employment which occa- 
sions the evil complained of, in the hope of mitigating which the 
foregoing remarks have been introduced. 
Water- Meadoics. 
Amongst the most striking improvements which have taken 
place during the past half- century, the water-meadows of the 
Duke of Portland claim an especial notice. Mr. Denison, how- 
ever, having given a most lucid and complete statement of them 
