This was true.

He deeply regretted to say it was true.
But why had they suffered?
Not because of the steam, the machinery, the artificial manure, the improvements they had set on foot; but because of the folly of their neighbours, of the agricultural class generally.

The great mass of farmers had made no improvements; and, when the time of distress came, they were beaten down at every point.

It was through these men and their failures that the price of stock and of produce fell, and that so much stress was put upon the said individuals through no fault of their own.

He would go further, and he would say that had it not been for the noble efforts of such individuals--the pioneers of agriculture and its main props and stays--the condition of farming would have been simply fifty times worse than it was.