A(jriculture of North Wales. 
587 
to be independent of other districts for its supply of grain, for the 
reasons now noticed. I have not endeavoured to give any esti- 
mate of the extent of waste land, or such as Is reclaimable ; to do 
so would only mislead, and at the best could merely be an ap- 
proximation. I have endeavoured to set out the limits of such by 
as correct a descriptive account as I could ; and I believe the 
reader will, with a good map, be enabled to inform himself suffi- 
ciently well. Wales is essentially a pastoral country at present, 
which, independent of the circumstance of its being a corn im- 
porting country, is further proved by the fact that its principal 
agricultural exports consist of lambs, sheep, cattle, butter, and 
cheese. The greatest quantity of cheese is made in the vales of 
Wrexham and Clwyd, several dairies fi'om which districts are sold 
at the Chester cheese-fairs at the highest price, the mode of mak- 
ing cheese in these vales being precisely similar to that practised 
in the neighbouring county of Chester. Butter is made princi- 
pally by the smaller farmers, particularly in the western districts, 
where little cheese is made. 
I have not introduced an account in this report of the quality 
and description of stock maintained by several gentlemen and 
noblemen for the purpose of improving or replacing the native 
breeds, as they are merely isolated instances of well-meant 
endeavours to improve the character of the agriculture of the 
country; let it suffice, that generally speaking, the adoption of 
such improved breeds is almost invariably confined to the farms 
of the well-meant introducers. The first object should be to 
render the soil more productive ; improved stock would speedily 
afterv. ards be adopted. Draining is about being partially adopted. 
Of the more backward districts Mr. Price, of Rhiwlas, appears 
to carry on draining in the most energetic manner, and gives the 
most encouragement. 
Although there are a number of small landowners, the major part 
of the landed property of North Wales is in very large estates ; and 
it is well worth the consideration of the most extensive owners 
whether it would not be to their own and their tenants' advantage 
to form about twenty model farms in various parts. The over- 
lookers of each should be made to keep a correct account of all 
incomings and outgoings, so as to satisfy the surrounding farmers 
that the adoption of an improved system would be to their pecu- 
niary advantage. 1'he whole of these twenty model farms should 
be under the control of one clever person employed for the 
purpose, who should receive a stated salary, and in part be paid 
by a commission out of the profits of the various farms under his 
supervision ; each separate farm to be conducted by an ordinary 
working farmer, selected for the purpose for his industry and 
integrity, who should merely be required to conduct the manual 
VOL. vn. 2 R 
