# Second Sort explained — The Wealth of Nations > Chapter companion for The Wealth of Nations by Adam Smith. ## What happens This chapter examines the second category of rude produce—items that human industry can multiply in response to demand, such as cattle and other useful plants and animals. Smith explains how their price rises during economic progress due to diminishing natural abundance and increasing demand, eventually reaching a point where it becomes profitable to cultivate land for their production. He illustrates this with examples from Scotland, England, and American colonies, emphasizing that such price increases are necessary for agricultural improvement and public advantage, not a sign of silver's degradation. ## Themes in this chapter ### Self-Interest and the Invisible Hand Smith argues that the pursuit of profit drives farmers to improve land and raise cattle when prices become sufficient, aligning private gain with public benefit. ### Historical Development of Society The chapter traces the gradual rise in cattle prices from ancient Rome to 18th-century Scotland and America, illustrating economic progress. ### Wealth and Money Smith distinguishes between nominal price (silver) and real price (labor and subsistence), arguing that rising cattle prices reflect real value increase, not silver depreciation. ## Character check-ins ### Adam Smith Author and narrator, analyzing the price dynamics of the second sort of rude produce. ### Mr. Kalm Swedish traveler whose 1749 account of North American husbandry is cited to show poor farming practices and cattle degradation. ### Columella Ancient Roman writer referenced regarding the profitability of feeding deer (Turdi). ### Varro Ancient Roman writer mentioned alongside Columella on the profitability of feeding deer. ### The Europeans European settlers in North America whose arrival led to changes in land use and cattle husbandry. ## Key lines > The price of butcher's-meat, therefore, and consequently of cattle, must gradually rise till it gets so high, that it becomes as profitable to employ the most fertile and best cultivated lands in raising food for them as in raising corn. The cost of meat and cattle will keep increasing until it is just as profitable to use the best farmland to grow animal feed as it is to grow crops for people. _Smith explains the equilibrium price for cattle relative to corn in agricultural improvement._ > Gain is the end of all improvement, and nothing could deserve that name of which loss was to be the necessary consequence. Profit is the goal of any improvement; no activity that inevitably leads to loss can rightly be called an improvement. _Smith underscores the economic rationale behind land development and price rises._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_wealth_of_nations_se/chapters/second-sort - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_wealth_of_nations_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_wealth_of_nations_se/chapters