This last statement requires explanation. In Ulster it is the custom for the incoming tenant to pay
instances; but these have occurred within the last few weeks. There was one case of a farm, about the same size, leased by my father to one tenant. The lease lasted for many years. I found the son on it with thirty tenants, and himself the poorest man of the whole. The tenants admitted that they had been in the habit of contributing to his support. That was from drink."—Dig. Dev. Com. p. 286.
Evidence of Thomas Bradford, Farmer.
"What lease should a person have to remunerate him for that draining?—He should have a lease for sixty-one years at least.
"Taking, generally, large and small farms, do you see much greater improvements where there are leases than where there are tenants-at-will?—I cannot say that I do. I know a farm which is upon lease for 999 years, and there is not such a badly managed estate round the country.
"Are the lessees of that farm under that long lease subletting?—Yes, they are subletting every day.
"Are they holding any land themselves?—Yes, but they are the most wretched people I see. Upon the townland which I have spoken of, there are many families, who are neighbours of those parties, who are paying £3 or £4 an acre for their land, and they are much more snug and comfortable, and that is their character throughout the neighbourhood.
"Have those neighbours any leases who are paying £3. or £4. an acre?—Some of them have, and some of them have not."—Ibid. p. 279.
Evidence of Lieut. Col. Wm. Blacker, Land Proprietor.
"I passed one farm that I happened to know something of, which I know is held for ever at 3d. an acre, and it is in a worse condition than farms adjoining, held by an ordinary lease, at 25s. or 26s.
"Is it in possession of the lessee, or is it sublet?—It is, I believe, in the possession of the lessee, but I am not quite certain."—Ibid, p. 260.