This is an article that appeared in Popular Science in August of 1886 and discusses the problems with land ownership on PEI.

A very significant element in the pleas made against the landlords, was the labors of the tenants alone had imparted increasing values to the land in making fertile farms where there had been but wilderness. It was urged again and again that the toilers who had imparted value property were entitled to proprietary rights, as against the holders of titles whose exertions had been confined to the collection of rent. Therefore, it was maintained, the Government should not, in buying lands, do so on the basis of  capitalizing a rent which had, as a value, been chiefly created by the industry of the tenants. A good many occupiers of land on short or uncertain leases plainly manifested the universal tendency of such tenure– bad farming and a feeble interest in improvement of any kind. Some of tem were accustomed to reducing their indebtedness by sums ranging from five dollars down to five shillings. In every case the landlord’s claim received such attention as it was convenient for the tenant to give it after the accounts of merchants, blacksmiths, wagon-builder, or other creditor had been paid. This, too, when even for good land, rent was rarely more than about ninepence sterling an acre. Incidentally, it was shown that the long coast-line of the island had had its effect in inducing many farmers to embark in fishing, and allegiance divided between land and sea gave agriculture but primitive development. Another fact of interest elicited was that the island had a most admirable fertilizer in the beds of mussel mud and shells bordering its shores, which, applied to the land, increased its yield from two to even ten fold for several years.

When the Land Commissioners had concluded their labors in court the experiment of tenant proprietorship began. It proved an experiment attended with many difficulties. The surveys of the land had been very incomplete and imperfect, so that disputes as to boundaries were constant. The Government now finds that it has paid for 41,000 more acres than they received. From doubtfulness in surveys and boundaries it was no uncommon for three or four people persons each to claim the right to but the freehold of the same property. The purchase of the land by Government having banished all fears of arrears of rent being exacted from former tenants. A general resurrection by former owners of old leases, agreements, and minutes developed an army of claimants for the right to buy. In addition to these elements of contention, the Government had to deal with hundreds of squatters, who by virtue of twenty years’ occupation had acquired proprietary rights. During the years which have elapsed since the act went into force, its difficulties have been gradually overcome, chiefly through the judgement and ability of the commissioners who have administered it. Let some statistics of their labors be presented:

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