584 
Agriculture of North Wales. 
vation of flax instead of the bleaching of linen into Wales, I 
think it likely that North Wales would at this time rival the north 
of Ireland both as regards the growth and manufacture of this 
article. The proprietor who first introduces and encourages the 
growth of this textile will deserve the lasting gratitude of his 
country. The cultivation of flax would materially hasten the 
abandonment of the present absurd system of cropping until the 
land is exhausted, which is ruinous alike to tenant and landlord, 
as flax can only be grown with profit on land in good beart. 
The dwellings of farmers occupying more than 40 acres of 
land are generally good substantial stone buildings with state 
roofs. The greater part of them have been built within the last 
twenty or thirty years, and do credit to the taste of the landlords. 
The outbuildings are generally few, the mode of farming not 
needing an extensive outlay in that respect : as agriculture ad- 
vances these will become necessary and important adjuncts. 
The history of the agriculture of Wales is similar to that of 
others similarly circumstanced. First solely grazing ; next a little 
tillage is combined therewith ; next manures are economised and 
applied to the cereal crops and meadows, subsequent to which 
an advanced step is taken by the introduction of green crops and 
alternate husbandry. Welsh farming may be said to be in the 
transition state between the two last-named systems : a few 
energetic examples are only required to put everything in a fair 
way for progression, as there exists in Wales every material for 
the most perfect system of agriculture. The landlords in gene- 
ral deserve credit for the moderate amount of rent charged, 
though, from deficiency of skill in the cultivator, there can be no 
doubt that many are hard pressed to meet their engagements. 
As far as I could judge, the rent of good land at a distance from 
any large town or village would average about '20s. per acre, with 
poor rates from 3s. to 4s, 7'hough the rents in the island of 
Anglesea were represented to me by a gentleman who had con- 
siderable opportunities of being well informed on the subject, as 
amounting on the best lands to 30s. per acre ; in this, however, 
I believe he includes the rents of land in the vicinity of Bangor, 
Amlwch, &c. From my own observation I should not conceive 
the rents in Anglesea to be higher than other parts of North 
Wales. Artificial manures have been introduced amongst farmers 
on the best soils. A correspondent from Anglesea says they are 
used to a considerable extent. In these matters our opinions 
are formed relatively to pre-existing practices. I should pro- 
nounce their use being confined to a very limited extent. I have 
previously remarked upon the poverty of the manures made on 
mountam farms ; the greater part of the country is obnoxious to 
similar remarks. It will be apparent to every one that mauQure 
