Lmidmarks in British Farming. 
23 
rapidity. Scotcli farmers, like Dawson of Frogden, quickly 
recognised the value of scientific farming. Many of them, at 
the close of the eighteenth century, had visited England, and 
even penetrated into Flanders to study different practices of 
husbandry. Scotch landlords took an active and personal 
interest in the management of their estates. Among them 
Henry Home, Lord Karnes, was the most conspicuous. His 
versatile intellect ranged over a vast variety of theoretical sub- 
jects. But his Gentleman Farmer (1776) embodied, in a clear 
readable form, his own agricultural experiences. Long leases 
were early introduced. Even where land was strictly entailed, 
leases could be granted for thirty-one years and upwards, with- 
out restrictions on arable cultivation (10 George III. c. 51. 
1770. Improvement of land in Scotland). Farms and fields 
were from the first large. Farm servants were steady, regular, 
industrious, persevering. The Scotch banking system permitted 
considerable advances of capital to enterprising tenants. All 
these, and other causes, enabled Scotland to outstrip England. 
Whereas in 1700 Scotland lagged behind, in 1836 her enter- 
prise and energy enabled her farmers to weather the storm 
which overwhelmed hundreds of English farmers. The parts 
were reversed — the pupil became, a century later, the teacher. 
In England, enclosures began to increase. But, at this 
period, they were mainly confined to the reclamation of waste 
lands. Young had not yet begun his crusade against open-field 
farms. Two hundred and forty-five Acts were passed in the reigns 
of Anne, George I., and George II., and 328,177 acres were 
enclosed. In the Government organ of the Hyp-Doctor (No. 
42), the progress of enclosures is alleged as a proof that England 
was never more prosperous than under the rule of Walpole : — 
The mimber of private Gentlemen in Britain of ample estates exceeds 
that of any Country in the World proportion ably, and is far greater now 
than in the reign of Charles II. The value of Land at 26 or 27 Years 
Purchase is a Proof of the "Wealth of England ; so likewise is the encrease 
of Enclosures ; in poorer Countries there are more Wastes, in rich Countries 
fewer M astes, therefore is England richer lecause of its Enclosures ; which 
are more opulent than other Lands, as yielding more Rent naturally and 
the Conceit that Enclosures impoverish a Country is a mistake so experi- 
enc’d. There have been more Acts of Parliament relating to Enclosures of 
late Years than formerly. 
Stimulated by the encouragement of large landlords, by 
good prices, and by enclosures, agriculture locally improved 
from 1700 to 1760. In this progress the work of Tull, Towns- 
hend, and Bakewell proved of infinite value. 
Of Jethro Tull nothing remains to be said. Lord Towns- 
hend, who retired from oflSce in 1730, and devoted the rest of 
