Lord Kilmorey, an old gentleman of ninety-three, and a large
owner of property in Cheshire, has taken a step which brings the insecurity of English farming tenure into a strong light. His tenants, fifty in number, holding farms averaging 250 acres, asked for a reduction of rent. Lord Kilmorey replied courteously, but said he should like to test the reality of the necessity, and should, therefore, put the whole of his farms up to auction. He, therefore, caused all tenants to be served with six months' notice of eviction, pro- mising, however, reasonable compensation for improvements. The effect of this notice upon the tenants, many of whom have been born upon the land, may be imagined. It is equivalent, they say, to a heavy fine upon them, in the shape of preparations for departure, even if they should secure the holdings at auction without material rise of rent. Practically, however, men will bid for the farms who hardly hope to make them pay, but outer on them as a speculation.
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