46 ON THE AGEICULTUEE OF THE 



the soil comparatively easy to what it was twenty-five years ago. 

 Even the hay and manure forks are better constructed and lighter 

 than those formerly used, and the old ones have been laid aside 

 with the scythe and sickle of bygone days. 



The Farm Labourer, 



The position of the farm labourer will bear favourable com- 

 parison with most other parts. On the principal farms there 

 is a sufficiency of cottage accommodation, which has a beneficial 

 influence on the character of the labourer both in a social and 

 moral aspect. Wages generally are high, having advanced very 

 much in twenty-five, and even in ten years. Notwithstanding 

 these advantages, there has of late been a growing scarcity of 

 labourers, as inducements to go to other sorts of work have 

 been strong in this part of the country. When the rate of wages 

 at the collieries rose so rapidly two or three years ago, many of 

 the most able hands bade farewell to the plough and shouldered 

 the pick. Good pay and short hours — the thought of having 

 more time to themselves — proved to be irresistible temptations, 

 and they succeeded in attracting the best men from the farms to 

 the great centres of other local industries. We often heard, when 

 paying the farmers a visit, the complaint that " good men are now^ 

 exceedingly scarce." Wages have gone up fully 50 per cent, 

 in twenty-hve years: 40 per cent, in ten years, and L.10 per 

 annum in five years. 



In the neighbourhood of Edinburgh, regular farm-servants get 

 L.85 or L.36 in money, 6 J bolls of oatmeal, 4 bolls of potatoes, 

 coals driven, one month's meat in harvest, and a cottage and 

 garden. Total, about L.52 or L.l per week. Ordinary labourers 

 receive 16s. to 20s. per week; women workers 9s., and harvest 

 hands are regulated by the law of supply and demand. 



In the district of Gala Water ploughmen obtain L.20 in money ; 

 6 J bolls of oatmeal; 1200 yards of potato ground; dwelling- 

 house ; month's meat in harvest, or L.l, 5s. as equivalent ; fuel at 

 pit price ; 24 qrs. barley ; cow kept, and sometimes purchased ; 

 and litter for a pig. Estimate in money, L.52, or just about the 

 same as near Edinburgh, only more is paid in kind. Ordinary 

 labourers are often scarce, even at 4s. per day. 



A few miles to the west of Edinburgh, ploughmen have L.37 in 

 money ; free house and garden ; 4 bolls of potatoes ; 6i bolls of 

 oatmeal; coals led; equal in all to L.l per week. In fact, wages 

 throughout Mid-Lothian for ploughmen range from L.51 to L.53 

 per annum, the rate differing little between the low country and 

 the hill districts. 



In West Lothian payments are much the same. For example, 

 Mr John Wilson, Eiccarton, gives his ploughmen L.36 to L.38; 

 6 J bolls meal; 4 bolls potatoes; house and garden, rent free; 



