706 LAISSEZ FAIRE 
the lines suggested by Mr Bakewell, had been widespread, 
and sheep and cattle were raised for the sake of the carcase’, 
rather than for the wool or for draught. Some complaint 
was made that this form of pasture farming was pursued at 
the expense of tillage; but the increase of cattle-breeding 
was chiefly due to the careful cultivation of turnips, and the 
farmer really had an additional inducement to improve his 
system of cultivation. Still, though the supply of butchers’ 
great meat was enlarged, there was very serious difficulty in meet- 
pains were . 3 iq. 
taken to ing the increasing demand within the country for cereals; 
a and one Committee of the House of Commons after another? 
i . investigated the prospects of the harvest, and advised on the 
best means of providing for the population. An elaborate 
system of registration had been devised’, by which information 
could be obtained as to the price and probable stocks of 
grain throughout the country, and the problem was faced. 
A.D. 1776 
18350. 
1 Sir John Sinclair wrote in 1795: « The difference between the size of cattle 
and sheep now, and in the reign of Queen Anne, when half the stock of the 
kingdom were fed on Commons, is hardly to be credited. In 1710, the cattle and 
sheep sold at Smithfield Market, weighed, at an average, as follows: —Beeves, 
3701b.; Calves, 501b.; Sheep, 281b.; Lambs, 181b. Now it may be stated. 
Beeves, 8001b.; Calves, 1431b.; Sheep, 80 1b.; and Lambs, 501b. The increase is 
principally, if not solely, to be attributed to the improvements which have been 
effected within these last 60 years, and the feeding of our young stock, in good 
inclosed pastures, instead of wastes and commons.” Reports, IX. p. 204, note. 
2 1774. A Committee to consider the methods practised in making flour from 
wheat. 1783. A Committee to take the Act for regulating and ascertaining the 
Importation and Exportation of grain...into consideration (two reports). 1795. 
Select Committee to take into consideration the present High Price of Corn (five 
reports). 1800. Committee to consider means of rendering more effectual the Act 
for better regulating the Assize of bread (two reports). Committee to consider the 
present High Price of Provisions (six reports). 1801. Committee appointed to 
consider of the present high price of provisions (seven reports). There was 
besides, a Committee on the corn trade between England and Ireland, in 1802, and 
Committees on the improvement and enclosure of waste, unenclosed and un- 
productive lands, in 1795, 1797 and 1800. The reports of these Committees will be 
found in the reprints of the Reports of the Committees of the House of Commons 
(1803), IX. 
8 The duty on importation which had been imposed under Charles IL 
{22 C. II. c. 13) varied, according a8 English corn was being sold above or below 
a definite price. According to 1 James IL. ¢. 19, the justices of each county were 
to certify the * common market price of middling English corn.” The necessity of 
knowing the price of corn for fiscal purposes led to several changes in administra- 
tive machinery (2 Geo. IL. ¢. 18; 14 Geo. IIL. c. 64). A system of registration of 
the price of corn at the different markets was instituted in 1769 (10 Geo. IL. 
c. 39); a paid inspector for London was appointed in 1781 (21 Geo. IIL e. 50), and 
ten inspectors were instituted for the maritime counties in 1789. 29 Geo. III. c. 58.