Agriculture. 
hibition of arable, which is sometimes, and 
not unfrequently, the case, fields of this de- 
scription are worth little or nothing. A ri- 
ver, well restrained within its banks, run- 
ning through a farm, is a circumstance de? 
cidedly favourable. The grass-lands may 
thus be presumed to have water for the ac- 
commodation of cattle. 
The quantity, as well as the nature of the 
soil, is likewise to he considered, and no 
larger quantity should be occupied than can 
conveniently be stocked. The bad manage- 
ment, and the perpetual embarrassment oc- 
curring in the Contrary situation, are often 
ruinous to the health and to the fortunes 
of those who are involved in it. 
The disjoined situation of the various 
fields of a farm, is a circumstance attended 
with great vexation and expense. Com- 
pactness of estates will always render them 
far more valuable ; and opportunities of pro- 
ducing this compactness, by purchasing at 
a fair valuation, will never he neglected 
by vigilant and wealthy landlords. 
To estimate the rent correctly, it has 
been judiciously recommended to connect 
it with tithes and poor rates. Whatever sum 
be intended to be invested in the farm, its 
interest may be fairly calculated at not less 
than ten per cent. A valuation of the ex- 
pense and the produce should, for the next 
step, be carefully made ; and after the for- 
mer is deducted from the latter, what re- 
mains will be the sum which can be allowed 
for the demand of rent, in the three different 
forms above mentioned. If the amount of 
tithes and rates be deducted from this, what 
remains will be the sum which the occu- 
pier can afford to pay the landlord. 
The nature of the covenants required, 
which are Sometimes only absurd, and there- 
fore admissible without difficulty, but some- 
times equally absurd and mischievous, ought 
ever to be considered in connection not 
only with general but local and peculiar 
circumstances. The unreasonableness of 
the conditions proposed will sometimes be 
a valid objection to that occupancy which 
rent and situation, and all other circum- 
stances might render highly eligible, and 
compensation in diminished rent will be 
necessary to indemnify for tying down the 
farmer from modes of cultivation uninju- 
rious to the land, and inexpressibly the most 
beneficial to the occupier. 
From three to five pounds per acre was, 
about forty years since, considered adequate 
to the stocking of any farm, partly grass 
and partly tillage, of the average fertility. 
The increase of rents and of rates, the 
higher composition for tithes, the advance 
upon all implements of husbandry, and up- 
on every species of sheep and cattle, may 
be justly considered as having raised the 
sum necessary for the above purpose to 
seven or eight pounds. To form calcula- 
tions upon this subject as accurately as pos- 
sible, and ascertain that the requisite capi- 
tal is possessed, for the due management of 
the land to be occupied, cannot be too em- 
phatically insisted upon. The profit at- 
tending an increased expense in stocking 
will, in some cases, more than double the 
ratio of profit before that increase, and if 
the farmer be incapable of availing himself 
of striking opportunities for improvement, 
by the purchase of litter or of manure, and 
ihdeed by a variety of circumstances which 
may easily be suggested, for want of capi- 
tal, his situation must be highly disadvan- 
tageous. 
The choice of servants is a point requir- 
ing extreme attention. Where the assistance 
of a bailiff is required, as in all farms of 
very considerable extent, he should be of 
a somewhat superior description to those 
whom he must be authorized to command. 
The making of contracts and receiving mo- 
ney, which afford agents great temptation 
to dishonesty and to excess, should, when- 
ever practicable, be performed by the prin- 
cipal. Of the inferior servants, the plough- 
men are of most consequence, and skill and 
docility are their grand recommendations^ 
It is desirable that all the servants should 
be under the master’s eye. His constant 
superintendence will have great effect in 
promoting their sobriety and regularity, and 
not only will their permanent iiappiness be 
improved by this plan, a circumstance to a 
man of humanity of no light consideration, 
but their greater tractability and obedience 
will render the practice of this domesticat- 
ing method in a selfish point of view, more 
useful to him, than that according to which,' 
on many extended estates, the men and boys 
are all committed to the boarding and ma- 
nagement of the bailiff. It may be consi- 
dered as in general preferable to keep many 
servants and few day-labourers in the pre- 
sent times. The certainty of commanding 
hands at all seasons is an object of prime 
importance, and the difficulty of procuring 
additional ones when they are most wanted, 
is often upon the other plan insuperable. 
It will be always eligible and expedient 
to pursue a system of management, com- 
prehending every department of business 
