THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 



497 



buvgli to Aberdeen, we were struck with the especial 

 neatness and taste witli wliich tlie grounds and gardens 

 of the different stations were Ivcpt up. On inquiry, wc 

 found that tlio Directors were ia the habit of giving a 

 series of premiums for those tlie best maintained, and 

 that on a certain day they went in judgment tlirougli 

 the line. The same kind of thing would promise to 

 tell almost as well with labouring tenants on an 

 estate : although wo must allow that the daily com- 

 parison of one man with another would be wanting. 

 But, where practicable, we should lean for the bit of 

 land being part and parcel of the cottage holding. A 

 man is never so thoroughly out of temptation as when 

 at home. 



There were certain other matters of a more strictly 

 moral tendency that also came in for consideration. As, 

 for instance, that a man should never be permitted to 

 work his ground on aSunday. It happily turned out that 

 scarcely any one but the gentleman who advanced this 

 had ever luard of such athini:^, although we believe that 

 in some lettings there is a special condition prohibiting 

 it. As a rule, however, the less the man is controlled by 

 any such regulations and instructions the better; and at 

 the same time the more he is of a gardener, and the less 

 of a farmer, the more mutually convenient will it be. 

 There have been cases where the servant has been 

 anxious to get in his harvest or to put in his seed 

 just at the very time the master wanted him 

 for the same purpose. Just, in fact, when labour 

 is scarce and the allotment rather in the way of 

 both of them. Then Mr. Bennett objected to a stiff 

 clay for the purpose, while Mr. Mechi appeared to 

 think " a good honest clay" good enough for anything. 

 Mr. Williams would encourage a man to keep two pigs ; 

 but others considered one well done, sufficient. But 

 to the one great conclusion they were all agreed. 

 Combined with some few other causes, such as the 

 New Poor Law, the allotment system has had a direct 

 tendency to raise and improve the character of the la- 

 bourer, and to relieve the ratepayer — to make him, in 

 a word, more independent and self-supporting. 



Throughout the discussion there was but one want. 

 We are no great advocates for the parson taking much 

 of a lead at agricultural meetings ; but this was j ust the 

 time and place for the clergyman of the parish to say a 

 word or two. We believe as a class they have as much 

 to testify in favour of the system as cither the landlord, 

 his agent, or the tenant. Such evidence would have 

 completed the case of a vei'y able advocacy. 



THE ALLOTMENT SYSTEM. 



The first monthly meeting of the Club, after the usual 

 autumnal recess, took place on Monday evening, Nov. 1 , at 

 the Club-house, Blackfriars. The subject for discussion, 

 introduced by Mr. H. Trethewy,of Silsoe, Ampthill, was, 

 "The Allotment System, its Uses and Abuses." Amongst 

 those present were Thomas Owen, Esq., of Clapton, 

 in the chair ; supported by Messrs. B. P. Shearer, 

 W. Bennett, H. Trethewy, J. J. Mechi, S. Skelton, 

 E. Little, W. Gray, John Thomas, C. J. Brickwell, E. 

 Purser, R. T. Howell, J. B. Spearing, J. G. King, J. 



Tyler, T. Stagg, J. A. WilliamB, M. Reynolds, T. Con- 

 greve, F. Dyball, R. Marsh, Dr. Ellis, R. F. Jennings, 

 J. Halkett, S. Sidney, W. Eve, E. B. Acton, R. B. 

 Hammond, B. E. Waite, J. Russell, &c., &c. 



The Chairman, in opening the proceedings, ob- 

 served that they were again assembled together after the 

 usual period of suspension as regarded meetings for dis- 

 cussion. Looking back upon the last three or four 

 months, they would, he was sure, all agree with him 

 that they had cause to congratulate themselves and the 

 country at large on the beautiful season which they had 

 had (Hear, hear J. Whether they considered the crops 

 they had secured, or the manner in which they were se- 

 cured, they must all recognise a boon to themselves as 

 producers, and also a blessing to the consumers (Hear, 

 hear). Prices were another matter ; but for the actual 

 gathering of the crops, they could not be too thaukful. 

 The subject on the card was, "The Allotment System, 

 its Uses and Abuses." That question would, no doubt, 

 be well received by the Club ; and he thought they were 

 very fortunate in having so able and competent a person 

 as Mr. Trethewy to introduce it (Hear, hear). There 

 was no one, he believed, who had had greater experience 

 with regard to the allotment system, who had shown 

 more interest ia it, or who had been more successful in 

 carrying it out (Hear, hear). 



Mr. Trethewy : It may be said that the subject 

 which I Lave the pleasure to introduce to you this even- 

 ing is one more calculated for the consideration of land 

 owners, and those concerned in the management of 

 estates, than for discussion at a farmers' club. A little 

 reflection, however, will show us tliat it is one involving, 

 if possible, even more the comfort and prosperity of the 

 occupier than of the owner of the soil ; for it cannot be 

 denied that much of the success of the farmer depends 

 upon the class of labourers he may have about him, 

 whether steady, industrious, and skilful, or otherwise. 

 No matter what skill and capital the agriculturist can 

 command, unless the strong arm and ready will of the 

 labourer are at hand to carry his designs into execution. 

 Any system, therefore, having a tendency to elevate the 

 moral character of the labourer, and to improve his con- 

 dition, must be worthy of encouragement ; and, therefore, 

 I think the committee have exercised a proper discretion 

 in selecting this subject for aa evening's discussion, for 

 it is one upon which much prejudice exists, and not 

 without some reason, as I shall presently show. Like 

 many other useful schemes, the allotment system has 

 suffered from the injudicious zeal of its advocates, some 

 of whom have taught people to expect too much from it, 

 and who themselves have regarded it almost as a panacea. 

 Hence it has in some instances been carried to such an 

 extent as totally to alter its character, and therefore the 

 prejudice, which I have just alluded to, has arisen against 

 it. A desire for the occupation of laud is inherent in the 

 human mind. From the nobleman and large landed 

 proprietor, who cultivate their own broad acres, to the 

 dwellers in our cities and towns, this feeling is con- 

 tinually manifesting itself. Almost every man, whatever 

 may be his pursuit in life, attaches himself more or less 

 to the soil. He feels that he possesses in his garden, or 

 paddock, at least one spot which he can call hia own, and 



