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It is in this manner that the rent of the cultivated land, of

which the produce is human food, regulates the rent of the

greater part of other cultivated land. No particular produce can

long afford less, because the land would immediately be turned to

another use; and if any particular produce commonly affords more,

it is because the quantity of land which can be fitted for it is

too small to supply the effectual demand.

In Europe, corn is the principal produce of land, which serves

immediately for human food. Except in particular situations,

therefore, the rent of corn land regulates in Europe that of all

other cultivated land. Britain need envy neither the vineyards of

France, nor the olive plantations of Italy. Except in particular

situations, the value of these is regulated by that of corn, in

which the fertility of Britain is not much inferior to that of

either of those two countries.