This page aims to display some of the documents and correspondence in connection with the third Earl Of Lucan and the Model Farm at Castlebar.
English Farmers In
Ireland.
To the Editor of the Times.
Sir- In your paper of the 5th inst., you have inserted from the Freeman`s Journal a communication so inaccurate in its facts and of so mischievous a tendency, that I cannot resist offering a few observations on the subject, for my great desire is, as I believe it to be yours, that farmers with skill and capital should come and settle in this country. It is stated that two farmers from Lincolnshire were lately asked for a farm in the neighbourhood of Dunmore, 35s and 25s per acre, statute, of course, or it should have been explained for land that had lain waste for three years and destitute of any accommodation in the way of buildings for man or beast. It is true that on most properties farms have not those yards and buildings without which no man can properly and profitably carry on his business, and except where such indispensable accommodation can be provided it is in vain to expect that any large farmer will establish himself; but it is quite untrue that the landed proprietors are seeking, or, in my belief, that any single proprietor ever did seek or demand rents from 35s to 25s per acre. I will venture to say, that at this moment there are in this county alone upwards of 100,000 acres of land tentantless, and that in no instance would rents demand it exceed from 10s to 15s without buildings, and 12s to 18s with all necessary and sufficient accommodation.
I have myself farms as well-conditioned as the best in the Lothians, and with yards and buildings quite equal (to which I don’t doubt that Mr. Caird would attest,) and I would accept a rent of 18s per acre, and, recollect, free of tithes. Several farmers from the north of Ireland and elsewhere have visited me this autumn, and I have always proposed to let on leases of 21 years lands perfectly fenced, cleared, and drained, and with yards and buildings of the best description, and at rents varying from 12s to 18s and I have not let 1 acre.
Nor in my opinion, and I speak with some experience of farming myself perhaps more extensively than any other man in this country, will land either sell or let so long as it is without a market and afflicted with crushing poor rates, which it is next to impossible to realise monies to discharge. With oats 3s 6d and wheat 7s per cwt, no man can farm to profit and the two gentlemen from Lincolnshire have only shown their prudence in returning less oppressed country and not attempting it.
If English or Scotch farmers are frightened by high rents, they are in error, for the rents of this country are undoubtedly less by one half than what they are accustomed to; but I see and feel very acutely substantial difficulties arising from poor rates and free trade and I despair of strangers settling amongst us, or the land being cultivated, so long as these causes are allowed to continue to their present overwhelming extent.
If you consider these hasty observations deserving of a place in your journal I shall feel thankful for their insertion.
I have the honour to be, Sir. Your most obedient servant,
Lucan.
Castlebar November 8th.
To the Editor of the Times.
Sir- In your paper of the 5th inst., you have inserted from the Freeman`s Journal a communication so inaccurate in its facts and of so mischievous a tendency, that I cannot resist offering a few observations on the subject, for my great desire is, as I believe it to be yours, that farmers with skill and capital should come and settle in this country. It is stated that two farmers from Lincolnshire were lately asked for a farm in the neighbourhood of Dunmore, 35s and 25s per acre, statute, of course, or it should have been explained for land that had lain waste for three years and destitute of any accommodation in the way of buildings for man or beast. It is true that on most properties farms have not those yards and buildings without which no man can properly and profitably carry on his business, and except where such indispensable accommodation can be provided it is in vain to expect that any large farmer will establish himself; but it is quite untrue that the landed proprietors are seeking, or, in my belief, that any single proprietor ever did seek or demand rents from 35s to 25s per acre. I will venture to say, that at this moment there are in this county alone upwards of 100,000 acres of land tentantless, and that in no instance would rents demand it exceed from 10s to 15s without buildings, and 12s to 18s with all necessary and sufficient accommodation.
I have myself farms as well-conditioned as the best in the Lothians, and with yards and buildings quite equal (to which I don’t doubt that Mr. Caird would attest,) and I would accept a rent of 18s per acre, and, recollect, free of tithes. Several farmers from the north of Ireland and elsewhere have visited me this autumn, and I have always proposed to let on leases of 21 years lands perfectly fenced, cleared, and drained, and with yards and buildings of the best description, and at rents varying from 12s to 18s and I have not let 1 acre.
Nor in my opinion, and I speak with some experience of farming myself perhaps more extensively than any other man in this country, will land either sell or let so long as it is without a market and afflicted with crushing poor rates, which it is next to impossible to realise monies to discharge. With oats 3s 6d and wheat 7s per cwt, no man can farm to profit and the two gentlemen from Lincolnshire have only shown their prudence in returning less oppressed country and not attempting it.
If English or Scotch farmers are frightened by high rents, they are in error, for the rents of this country are undoubtedly less by one half than what they are accustomed to; but I see and feel very acutely substantial difficulties arising from poor rates and free trade and I despair of strangers settling amongst us, or the land being cultivated, so long as these causes are allowed to continue to their present overwhelming extent.
If you consider these hasty observations deserving of a place in your journal I shall feel thankful for their insertion.
I have the honour to be, Sir. Your most obedient servant,
Lucan.
Castlebar November 8th.
The extract from the Cancellation books below show changes in ownership at the site following the departure of the Earl. Click on the image for details these books.