These I consider as the two alternatives necessarily
belonging to a great comparative increase of wealth; and the
supposition here made will, with proper restrictions, apply to
the state of Europe.

In Europe, the expenses attending the carriage of corn are
often considerable. They form a natural barrier to importation;
and even the country which habitually depends upon foreign corn,
must have the price of its raw produce considerably higher than
the general level. Practically, also, the prices of raw produce,
in the different countries of Europe, will be variously modified
by very different soils, very different degrees of taxation, and
very different degrees of improvement in the science of
agriculture. Heavy taxation, and a poor soil, may occasion a high
comparative price of raw produce, or a considerable dependence on
other countries, without great wealth and population; while great
improvements in agriculture and a good soil may keep the price of
produce low, and the country independent of foreign corn, in
spite of considerable wealth. But the principles laid down are
the general principles on the subject; and in applying them to
any particular case, the particular circumstances of such case
must always be taken into consideration.

With regard to improvements in agriculture, which in similar
soils is the great cause which retards the advance of price
compared with the advance of produce; although they are sometimes
very powerful, they are rarely found sufficient to balance the
necessity of applying to poorer land, or inferior machines. In
this respect, raw produce is essentially different from
manufactures.