Lord Ashtown's Affairs

R. C. D. Saturday, June 29, 1912

To the Editor Western News.

Dear Sir, —

Your remarks in last issue, and the leading article in the "East Galway Democrat" of the 15th, induces me to give some real facts to the public as regards my farming, in order that they may decide how far I was justified in making the changes that I did at the end of 1900. I now send you the profit and loss for each year on my farms since 1890. I think any fair—minded man will admit that it was time a change was made. The only thing I now regret is that I did not make the change sooner, say at the end of 1894. I never said in my evidence at the Labourers Cottages enquiry at Ballinasloe, that I was making a profit on farming to the extent of the figures I gave. All I wished to show was how much I gained in each year by making the changes and I think all will admit that a loss of £4802 4s 5 d in 1900 changed into a profit of £1296 2s 4d in 1907 is pretty good evidence that a change was needed. The rent of the land which is not low was charged against the farm in the Annual Accounts. The increased loss it the year 1902 was caused by my taking up more land sands so increasing the rent, and buying more breeding stock which has not given any return. Most people will, I think, agree that it is better for the community that the land should be used, if possible, as a means of giving employment to the small tenants on the estate than by letting the land to grazers.