the Austro-Hunr/nrian Empire. 329 



with Garrett's drill, reaped by Wood's and Kirby's reapers, and 

 threshed by Ransome's machines. The average crops are : — 



Per English Acre. 



Wheat 10 metzen of 89| lbs. = 17 bushels of 60-5 lbs. 



Eye 15 „ 82 „ = 25i „ 59 „ 



50 „ = 42i „ 37 „ 



Barley 18 



Oats 25 



Maize 18 



Pape 12 



75 „ = 201 » 50^ 



Hav 25 centner = 25 cwts. 



Mangold 250 to 300 do. = 12^ to 15 tons. 



Potatoes 30 to 70 do. - 1^ to 3^ tons. 



Labourers and Wages. 



In every village there are landless peasants who work in the 

 fields of their more fortunate neighbours. Every estate has also 

 a cottage population which supplies it with a sufficient number 

 of hands. The condition of the labourer was the saddest feature 

 of the rural economy of Hungary ; and, viewed in the light of 

 recent agitation and legislation in our own country, it is to au 

 English eye simply appalling. Whether these poor creatures 

 feel the sadness of their lot is a question I cannot answer ; but 

 certainly there appears to be little idea among the stewards 

 that their workpeople are neglected. I was told that adults sel- 

 dom live much longer than forty, and that the mortality among 

 the children is terrific. The people are exposed to an extreme 

 climate, and the water of the plains is confessedly bad. Thej 

 eat raw fruits and vegetables, and many of them fall victims to 

 the cholera annually. During my journey this fearful disease 

 was exceptionally bad, and at Tokay I found myself face to 

 face with it and the doctor. This gentleman had been dis- 

 patched from Pesth by the benevolent owner of the estate, to 

 live in the mansion, and look after the stricken population. The 

 population had to a great extent fled ; that is, to the number of 

 " ninety pair of shearers," so that the fields waited in vain to be 

 reaped. The upper classes fear the disease but little. They 

 advise good living, avoiding over-fatigue and beer, and the 

 drinking of good, sound, red wine. The labourer can attend but 

 little to these precautions, but works in the hot sun, drinks, 

 water in too large quantities, is careless, as to cleanliness, and 

 speedily falls a victim. The doctor told me that when 

 attacked by the fell disorder, the poor ignorant labourer seeks the 

 shelter of some tree, and lays himself down. There he is found, 

 but refuses to be disturbed, refuses to take medicine, and commits, 

 himself to the mercy of "the good God." " There he lies," said 

 the doctor, " till he either dies or gets better." I was also in- 



