"The landlords are not agriculturists; that is an abuse of terms which has been too long tolerated"

This quote by Richard Cobden is a criticism of the landlords of his time. He is suggesting that the term "agriculturist" is being misused to explain the property managers. He believes that the property managers are not really agriculturists, or people who are involved in the growing of land, however are instead exploiting the land and its resources for their own gain. He believes that this misuse of terms has been accepted for too long and should no longer be endured. He is recommending that the property managers must be held responsible for their actions and that they ought to be held to the very same requirements as real agriculturists. He is also recommending that the landlords need to be more responsible in their management of the land and its resources. This quote is a call for higher accountability and obligation from the property owners of his time.