Irish Agriculture. 
29 
we meet a great many farmers who till their land in a very- 
creditable way ; but it is notorious that on the vast majority of 
small farms the mode of management is very bad and he then 
proceeds to point out what he considers " the most glaring 
defects " in the management, which may be summed up as 
follows : — Neglect of a rotation of crops : the infrequency or 
absence of turnips and mangold among the cultivated crops ; the 
neglect of artificial grasses ; slovenly cultivation ; inattention to 
keeping the land free from weeds : neglect with respect to the 
collection and preservation of farmyard manure ; neglect in 
the treatment of all farm crops, but more especially the hay- 
crop ; neglect with respect to the proper breeding of live stock ; 
defective dairv management ; want of proper drainage ; waste 
of land bv reason of the multitude of large unnecessary fences, eScc. 
This is a serious catalogue of defects, but it is one which, unfor- 
tunately, cannot be denied. Hitherto, it has generally been con- 
sidered a sufficient reply, when such defects have been pointed 
out, to say that the Irish farmer had no security, and that he 
would not be permitted to enjoy his improvements, in the event 
of his making them. Without discussing this point, it is suffi- 
cient to sav that the avowed object of recent legislation has been 
to protect the enterprising Irish farmer, and thus stimulate him 
to expend capital on the improvement of his land. I believe 
that the Land Act of 1870 does give security where it was 
required, and it is to be hoped that the fruits expected to be 
derived from the measure will ultimately be realised. As yet 
there are comparatively few symptoms to be observed of the 
stimulating operation of the Land Act in promoting improve- 
ment ; but sufficient time has not elapsed to give it that 
fair-play which moderate men of all classes are desirous it should 
receive. 
'Mr. Baldwin sets down neglect of a rotation of crops as the 
first " glaring defect " in the mode of management pursued on 
" the vast majority of small farms." Oats and potatoes are the 
prevailing crops, and the former is fiequently grown year after 
year, until the land becomes thoroughl}- run out. As a result of 
this system, it will in many instances be observed that the oat 
crop in one field appears to be tolerably good, while in the next 
It is so very thin and short as scarcely to be worth reapine:, a 
close and luxuriant growth of weeds usurping the place which 
ought to be occupied by a more profitable description of plants. 
Turnips are rarely to be seen in many parts of the country, or, if 
seen, only in small patches, and, too often, smothered with weeds. 
1 et, strange to say, men who do not grow turnips themselves will 
often travel long distances during winter and spring to purchase 
a few hundredweights for their cattle ; and, apparently, thev 
