IN SCOTLAND.

195

quality of the soil, but also to its relative situation and cir-cumstances. In the vicinity of populous towns, where ma-nure can be had in abundance, and where there is a constantdemand for the produce of the soil, the rent even of poorland is very high. In remote districts, where the climate isunfavourable, even though the land be naturally fertile, therent is comparatively low. Rent also, like the price of everycommodity, is higher or lower, according to the demand forfarms, which depends in some measure upon the circum-stances and abilities of the competitors, as well as the price°f produce.

The rent formerly consisted of a great number of particu-lars ; for, besides payments in money, various articles, asgrain, lambs, pigs, poultry, &c. were demanded in kind, andfrequently personal services were exacted- Nothing could bemore injudicious. The grain and other articles paid inkind, were uniformly of inferior quality, and the burden ofpersonal service, whilst it was oppressive on the tenant, (oblig-J ng him to keep a greater strength of men and horses thankis own farm required, and often interrupting his most im-portant operations at home), was of little advantage to thelandlord. Rent in Scotland is now in general restricted tomoney payments, and every intelligent proprietor is convin-ced, that the imposing of any burden should be avoided,which has a tendency to impede the industry of the tenant,or to withdraw his attention from the management of hisfarm *.

The proportion of produce paid to the landholder, for theprivilege of occupying the soil, must, of necessity, be diffe-rent on lands of different quality. Some have supposed thatone-fifth of the produce was a reasonable proportion. Othershave supposed that a fourth, or even a third part of the produceought to be paid as rent. The truth is, that the farmer oughtalways to be allowed a reasonable profit for his labour, his

Sec Dumbartonshire Report, p. 48, 49, Ac.