oble region, has been clearly
demonstrated by a series of important and highly interesting official
decrees and investigations, which, within this half century, have taken
place by order of the Papal government. Struck with the continued
desolation of so large and important a portion of their territory, the
popes have both issued innumerable edicts to enforce tillage, and set on
foot the most minute inquiries to ascertain the causes of their failure.
It is only necessary to mention one. Pius VI., in 1783, took a new and
most accurate survey or _cadastre_ of the Agro Romano, and ordained the
proprietors to sow annually 17,000 _rubbi_ (85,000 acres) with
grain.[33] This decree, however, like those which had preceded it, was
not carried into execution. "The proprietors and farmers," says Nicolai,
"equally opposed themselves to its execution; the former declaring that
they must have a higher rent for the land if laid down in tillage, than
the latter professed themselves able to pay."[34]

To ascertain the cause of this universal and insurmountable resistance
of all concerned to the cultivation of the Campagna, the Papal
government in 1790 issued a commission to inquire into the matter, and
the proprietors prescribe to two memoirs on the subject, which at once
explained the whole difficulty. The one set forth the cost and returns
of 100 rubbi (500 acres) in grain tillage in the Roman Campagna; the
other, the cost and returns of a flock of 2500 sheep in the same
circumstances. The result of the whole was, that while the grain
cultivation would with difficulty, on an expenditure of 8000 crowns
(L2000,) bring in a clear profit _of thirty crowns_ (L7, 10s.) to the
farmer, and nothing at all to the landlord, the other would yield
between them a profit _of 1972 crowns_, (L496.)[35] Well may Sismondi
exclaim:--"These two reports are of the very highest importance. They
explain the constant invincible resistance which the proprietors and
farmers of the Roman Campagna have opposed to the extension of grain
cultivation; they put in a clear light the opposite interest of great
capitalists and the interest of the state; they give in authentic
details, which I have personally verified, and found to be still
entirely applicable and correct, on the causes which have reduced the
noble district of the Roman Campagna to its desolate state, and still
retain it in that condition. Incredible as the statements may appear,
they are amply borne out