The live and dead farm-stock is my own property.

It represents an enormous capital, which is liable to all sorts of accidents.

But in our dear country one must risk a great deal to gain a little.
"If the land, which is almost all of fine quality, were my own, I should bring nearly the whole of it under the plough; but I am expressly forbidden by a clause in my lease to break up the best land, for fear of exhausting it by growing corn.

No doubt such would be the result in the course of time, because we apply no manure; but of course the inferior land which I _am_ allowed to break up will be worn out much sooner, and will in the end become almost worthless.

The monks knowing this, take care that the best land shall not lose its quality, and oblige me to keep it in pasture for cattle.