105

Inclofing of Land.

rafter, for the office. Such a plan would not only fave much trouble, but, indifferent inffances, confiderable expence to the proprietors.

Another circumftance which ought to be particularly regarded in theinclofing of commons, is that of no greater delay being permitted in givingthe different proprietors pofleffidn of their allotments, than is abfolutely requi-site. If thefe Several points were Sufficiently attended to, there would probablybe very little reafonable objeftion made to the fyftem of inclofing ; as thofewhich have been advanced, on the grounds of injuries done to the breeding ofcattle, the expences of farming buildings, the deterioration of the quality ofWool , or the diminution of its produce, by a reduftion in the number of ffieep,and the leflening of the rental value of fuch eftates as are in the neighbourhoodo'f inclofed commons, are, when fully examined, too feeble and unfatisfaftoryto deferve much regard*. ir -. r

It is forcibly obferved by the able writer of one of the county reports on agri-culture, that, “ when the inclofing fyftem is appreciated, by its obvious tendencyto increafe the produce qf land, and the demand for labour, to augment the rateof wages to the hufbandman, and to leflen the amount of the poor-rate ; it is afubjeft: of regret and aftonifliment, that fo few means have been devifed by the'legislature, either to facilitate or extend its progrefs. How much is to be donethis way,” fays he, “ a general inclofure aft, unfettered by tedious and expenfiveformalities, would Speedily manifeft. From the very great number of private aftswhich have pafled within the laft twenty years, fuch general principles might,”he fuppofes, “ be felefted for its bafis, as to implicate almoft every poffible varietyof claim, intereft, and property. An aft: thus conftituted,” he thinks, “might,without hazard or injury, be entrufted to a given number of juftices at the quar-ter feflions, to difpenfe its powers, and control its execution ; and fuch juftices,”he conceives, “ perfeftly competent to determine on the propriety or improprietyof any propofed inclofure. Thus,” continues he, “ a total extinftion of parlia-mentary expence would encourage inclofing on the fmalleft Scale; and, with ad-vantages not to be defpifed, would accommodate the moft extenfivef.”

That fuch a meafure is calculated to promote the advantage of individuals,as well as that of the nation, cannot be much doubted by thofe who have at allconfidered the nature of the fubjeft. We therefore hope that a general aft ofinclofure may, at no very diftant period, be obtained, notwithftanding the inju-

* See the obfervations of Mr. Bellingfley on thefe points in his Report, p. jj.t Billingfley's View of the Agriculture bf the County of Somerfet,

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