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AGRICULTURE [united the spring and summer months, but there was an abundant cases it was practically ruined. This gave a stimulus to the trade in imported hay, which rose from 61,237 tons rainfall in the autumn; correspondingly there was an unin 1892 to 263,050 tons in 1893, and despite some large precedentedly bad yield of corn and hay crops, but a home-grown crops in certain subsequent years (1897 and moderately fair yield of the main root crops (turnips and 1898) this expansion has never since been wholly lost. swedes). In 1899 the drought became most intense in The misfortunes of 1892 proved to be merely a prepara- the autumn, after the corn crops had been harvested, but tion for the disasters of 1893, in which year occurred the during the chief period of growth of the root crops; most destructive drought within living memory. Its correspondingly the corn crops of that year rank very worst effects were seen upon the light land farms of well amongst the crops of the decade, but the yield of England, and so deplorable was the position that a Royal turnips and swedes was the worst on record. It is quite Commission on agricultural depression was possible for a hot dry season to be associated with a large Royal appointed in September of that year under the yield of corn, provided the drought is confined to a suitable period, as was the case in 1896, and still more so in si’onlsgs chairmanship of Mr Shaw Lefevre. Thus, within 1898; the English wheat crops in those years were proSWt1 ’ ' the last quarter of the 19th century—and, as a matter of fact, only fourteen years apart—two Royal Com- bably the biggest in yield per acre that had been harvested missions on agriculture were appointed, the one in a year of since 1868, which is always looked back upon as a remarkmemorable flood, 1879, and the other in a year of disas- able year for wheat. The drought of 1898 was intertrous drought, 1893. The report of the Commission of rupted by copious rains in June, and these falling on a 1893 was issued in March 1896. Amongst its chief re- warm soil led to a rapid growth of grass and, as measured commendations were those relating to amendments in the by yield per acre, an exceedingly heavy crop of hay. With the exceptions of 1891 and 1894, every year Agricultural Holdings Acts, and to tithe rent-charge, railway rates, damage by game, sale of adulterated products, in the period 1891-1900 was stricken by drought. The and sale of imported goods (meat, for example) as home pro- two meteorological events of the decade which will produce. Two legislative enactments arose out of the work bably live longest in the recollection were, however, the of this Commission. In the majority report it was stated terrible drought of 1893, resulting in a fodder famine in “ that, in order to place agricultural lands in their right the succeeding winter, and the severe frost of ten weeks’ position as compared with other ratable properties, it is duration at the beginning of 1895. Between these two essential that they should be assessed to all local rates in occurrences came the disastrous decline in the value of a reduced proportion of their ratable value.” The Agri- grain in the autumn of 1894, when the weekly average cultural Rates Act, 1896, gave effect to this recommenda- price of English wheat fell to the record minimum of tion. Its objects were to relieve agricultural land from 17s. 6d. per imperial quarter. As a consequence, the exhalf the local rates, and to provide the means of making tent of land devoted to wheat in the British isles receded in good out of Imperial funds the deficiency in local taxation 1895 to less than 1|- million acres, which is the lowest area thereby caused. It was provided that the Act should on record.' Successful trials of sulphate of copper solution continue in force only till 31st March 1902, but a as a means of destroying charlock in corn crops took place further Act in 1901 extended the period by four years. in the years 1898-1900. Charlock is a most persistent Meanwhile the Royal Commission on local taxation was cruciferous weed, but if sprayed when young with the soluinquiring into the general incidence of local taxation, tion named it is killed, the corn plants being uninjured. Amongst recent legislative measures of importance to both urban and rural, and its proper adjustment between real and personal property, and presented its report in agriculturists mention should be made, in addition to those the summer of 1901. The other measure arising out of that have been referred to, of the Tithe Renta ' the report of the Royal Commission of 1893 was the charge Recovery Act, 1891, which transfers the Agricultural Holdings Act, 1900. This is an amending liability for payment of tithe from the occupier Act and not a consolidating Act; consequently it has to to the owner. In the same year was passed the Markets be read as if incorporated into the already existing Acts. and Fairs (Weighing of Cattle) Act. The object of the As affecting agricultural practice there are three note- Small Holdings Act, 1892, was to facilitate the acquisition worthy improvements in respect of the making of which, of small agricultural holdings. It provides that a county without the consent of or notice to his landlord, a tenant council may acquire any suitable land, with the object of may claim compensation—(1) the consumption on the allotting from one to fifty acres, or, if more than fifty holding “by horses, other than those regularly employed acres, of an annual value not exceeding £50, to persons who on the holding,” of corn, cake, or other feeding-stuff not desire to buy, and will themselves cultivate, the holdings. produced on the holding; (2) the “ consumption on the If, owing to proximity to a town or otherwise, the proholding by cattle, sheep, or pigs, or by horses other than spective value is too high, the council may hire such land those regularly employed on the holding, of corn proved for the purpose of letting it. The Fertilizers and Feeding by satisfactory evidence to have been produced and con- Stuffs Act, 1893, compels sellers of fertilizers (7e., manures), sumed on the holding ”; (3) “ laying down temporary manufactured or imported, to state the percentage of the pasture with clover, grass, lucerne, sainfoin, or other seeds nitrogen, of the soluble and insoluble phosphates, and of sown more than two years prior to the determination of the potash in each article sold, and this statement is to have the effect of a warranty. Similar stringent condithe tenancy.” After 1894, in which year the brilliant prospects of a tions apply as regards the sale of feeding stuffs for live bountiful harvest were ultimately extinguished by untimely stock. The Finance Act of 1894, with its great changes in and heavy rains, all the remaining seasons of the death duties, overshadowed all other Acts of that year Effects of £jie ciosing decade of the 19th century were both in its immediate effects and in its far-reaching consedominated by drought. A fact that was amply quences. The Copyhold Consolidation Act, 1894, supersedes illustrated, moreover, is that the period of incidence of a six previous copyhold statutes, but does not effect any alteradrought is not less important than its duration, and the tion in the law concerning enfranchisement. The Diseases same is true of abnormal rainfall. A spring drought, a of Animals Act, 1896, provided for the compulsory slaughter summer drought, an autumn drought, each has its distinc- of imported live stock at the place of landing. The Light tive characteristics in so far as the effect upon the crops Railways Act and the Locomotives on Highways Act were is concerned. The hot drought of 1893 extended over added to the Statute Book in 1896, and various clauses in
