The surface of England is estimated at 37,265,853 acres, which are distributed as follows:

In pasturage,18,796,45
In tillage,11,350,501
In cities, roads & canals,3,454,740
Lands fit for pasturage or tillage not cultivated,3,515,238
Lands unfit for cultivation,2,148,921

Of the arable land the following annual disposition is made:

Lands unfit for cultivation,2,148,921
In wheat and rye,2,000,000
In peas, beans, and buckwheat,2,000,000
In barley and oats,4,000,000
In fallow, or in turnips or cabbages,3,400,000

The lands, in wheat and rye, yield on an average of ten years, three quarters per acre, or 6,000,000 quarters; yet there is an annual deficit in England of 1,820,000 quarters, which must be drawn from foreign markets.[1]

There is certainly nothing very flattering in this view of English agriculture; but it may be said to be one of statists and politicians, and probably underrated. Let us then see what their own most eminent agriculturists, their Young and Sinclair, and Dickson and Marshall, say on this subject—"A very small portion of the cultivated parts of Great Britain, is to this day, submitted to a judicious and well conducted system of husbandry; not in fact more than four counties, (Norfolk, Sussex, Essex, and Kent:) while many large tracts of excellent soil are managed in a way the most imperfect and disadvantageous."[2]

Nor is her management of cattle better. "Considering the domestic animals in a general way, we find each species, and almost every race, capable of great improvement, and, with a few exceptions, the sheep much neglected. In some districts are whole races of cattle incapable of improvement (within a reasonable time) in the three great objects which they are expected to yield, viz. milk, flesh, and labour."[3] We now add some of the causes to which this defective husbandry has been ascribed: "to enumerate all would be impossible, from their number and complication."[4]

"1st. The commons, or unenclosed grounds, which in many places amount to near one half of the whole arable land, and which are submitted to the most absurd and ruinous system of culture."[5]

"2d. The terms (amounting to personal servitude) under which many of the lands are held."

"3d. The shortness of leases given by corporations (civil and religious) and by individuals, and which seldom exceed three, five, or seven years, excepting in the counties of Norfolk, Sussex, Essex, and Kent, where (with great advantage to both landlord and tenant) they are frequently extended to twenty-one years."