dividual Sympathy and intelligence; and as a result, the absence and virtual extinction of Rural Pauperism.
In conclusion and caution it should be repeated that this question will everywhere be best settled by individual farmers and landlords in their respective farms and estates, according to the conditions of the locality. In most places only a little re-adjustment of present relations is required; in some parts hardly that. But where congestion of labour and bad Poor Law have aggravated the conditions, something more may be required. Even here the leading employers or a few intelligent landlords in the county might easily direct the movement right. There are two courses plainly open before the farmers and landlords of this country and of every county or district in it: either by intelligent sympathy and the means herein practically described to make this movement an opportunity of advantage and security to themselves and all connected with the land, or to let it be a source of ill feeling, harm and loss. And one word of advice to those districts where the labourers have pressed unduly on the farmers, and taken undue advantage of the harvest to demand extortionate wages. In reducing the number of men after harvest, let there be no spirit of angry retaliation. Remember that if these men have been misled, they looked for the most part in vain to those who should have been their natural leaders. From some of the southern counties there may have to be a large migration; but let the men go with a God speed them; let landlords and others come forward where they are wanted to direct this exodus. The machinery is ready in the West of England Agricultural Labourers' Association: and more or less under the auspices of that Association there exists already in the Western counties of England a nucleus of intelligent landlords and farmers, practically persuading the rest, the effect of whose moderating influence and far-sighted policy may be seen even now, but will perhaps be more fully felt hereafter.
