[TO THE EDITOR Or THE " SPECTATOR." I
Sm.,—It is desirable that difficulties should be stated plainly ; and no man has a better right to be heard about our Irish agricultural difficulties than Mr. Take, who for many a year has devoted wealth, intellect, and energy to help us through them. But it is not desirable to exaggerate difficulties ; and this I venture to think has been inadvertently done by Mr. Take- in his otherwise adinirable letter in the Spectator of March 6th. In estimating our agricultural resources, Mr. Take takes into account only our arable land, and the money-value of our crops. But why leave out our pastoral land and the money-value of our cattle and batter ? The latter are as much agricultural products as the former ; and Continental experience shows us, according to M. de Lavergne, that /a petite culture has special aptitude for dairy husbandry.
Again, Mr. Tuke's argument rests on the assumption that Irish agriculture will not produce more under a system which
will stimulate to the uttermost the energies of the agriculturist, than it produced under a system which made industry folly. But I venture to think that we may hope for better things. Peasant- proprietorship has doubled the agricultural produce of France. The small extent and poor quality of a vast number of holdings in Ireland are, indeed, grave difficulties; but no one acquainted with Continental agriculture can fail to have observed that these very difficulties have been elsewhere, and under the most vary- ing conditions of soil and climate, overcome. It is no mere poetic phrase, but the most practical economic truth, that-
" Ownership, however small it be,
Breeds industry, content, and loyalty, And ceaselessly compels the poorest field, Inch after inch, its very most to yield."
-Colonial experience shows that Irishmen, like other men, will work hard if reasonably certain that they will enjoy the results of their labour. You will be glad to know that this stimulus is already beginning to operate in Ireland. Thus, in a poor tract recently purchased by the tenants under the purchase clauses of the Land (Ireland) Act, the farmers are at work with an energy hitherto unknown. Sure, it is our own !" they say.—I am, Sir, tic.,
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