Page:Irish Emigration and The Tenure of Land in Ireland.djvu/92

and the present date is, of course, the measure of the limits within which the consolidation of farms

extent, in the district?—Yes, it is very generally practised now.

"To what extent, and with what objects?—To introduce a better class of tenantry, and also to benefit the proprietor who finds, if he can increase the size of his farm, it benefits the land.
"To what sized farms has it gone?—I think they vary from fifteen to twenty acres and thirty acres—that seems to be the favourite size, I think, for persons removed above the mere peasant.
"Do you mean to say, in many instances, large numbers of people have been dispossessed with a view to increasing the size of farms?—No, by no means; but I say that practice is generally introduced, and is recognized throughout the country, and where it can be done without oppression, it is generally practised; and the persons going out have been generally assisted to go to America, or otherwise provide for themselves; it only anticipates the day when they must go—for it is manifest that sooner or later they must go; the longer you keep them the worse is their condition."—Dig. Dev. Com. p. 472.

Lord George Hill, Land Proprietor.

"The estate was mapped and surveyed at very considerable expense, and the farms remodelled, so that each tenant has his land together in one place (with few exceptions), instead of being as formerly in several detached places. This was effected with much difficulty, the people themselves having the greatest antipathy to any change. In doing this, each man's case was attentively considered, so that no injury or loss was incurred by any. In consequence of this new state of affairs the tenants were obliged to shift their houses, which was easily accomplished, as the custom of the country is, on those occasions, to hire a fiddler, who, taking up his position upon the intended site, scrapes away whilst the neighbours are busy bringing stones from all quarters, and when a sufficient quantity has been collected, the evening is finished by a dance."—Ib. p. 455.