28 
Irish Agriculture. 
Small farms abound in all parts of Ireland, but they are more 
numerous in Ulster than in any of the other provinces. In Ulster, 
however, as well as in other parts of Ireland, the tendency is 
towards a diminution of the number of small holdings, and a 
consequent increase of a larger class of farms. This has been 
going on more especially since the " famine years," when many 
persons abandoned their holdings altogether. For the most part 
the consolidation of farms has been carried on very quietly. For 
instance, a man occupying a few acres of land, intimates that he 
wishes to give up his place in order to emigrate. A neighbour, 
with the consent of the landlord, and sometimes without it, gives 
the out-going tenant a sum of money for the " goodwill " of the 
place, and adds it to his own farm. Table X., p. 27, from 
the Reffistrar-General's Returns, shows the change which has 
been going on in the size of holdings in each province, the 
periods taken for comparison being 1841, 1851, and 1869. 
In classifying the farms in Ireland for the purpose of describing 
the managfement pursued, either generally or in individual cases, 
the simple arrangement of (1) small, (2 ) medium, and (3) large 
farms may be followed. 
Small Farms. 
" The agriculture, if such it can be called, of the small farms 
shows great slovenliness, and the appearance of the country 
generallv is that of stagnation. Immense wastes are undrained ; 
the buildinjrs appear to have had nothing done to them for years ; 
the ditches are unscoured ; and the gaps in the fences appear to 
have been made vears ago, and never repaired." 
Such was the verdict pronounced by Mr. Peter Maclagan, M.P., 
after visiting nearly all parts of Ireland in 1869.* Mr. Maclagan 
is well known as a practical agriculturist of high standing, and 
his remarks on subjects connected with farming are therefore to 
be received with due respect. The foregoing observations refer 
more especially to the tillage lands in the south and west of Ireland, 
for Mr. Maclagan further states that, " in Ulster the farming is 
better," and that province, as we have seen, is noted for the large 
proportion of small farms which exist in it. 
But Mr. Maclagan is not the only modern authority who has 
pointed out the defective state of Irish agriculture with respect to 
cultivation. Mr. Thomas Baldwin, Superintendent of the Agri- 
cultural Department of National Education, states in a little work 
which he has rec ently published,! tbat " throughout the country 
• 'Land Culture and Laud Tenure iu' Ireland,' by Peter Maclagan, M.P. 
Black wckkI mid Sons, 1869. 
t ' Siuall Farms made Profitable.' 187L 
