44 LABOURERS' WAGES 



men, which does not obtain in other industries, 

 tends to pull the average wage down, while 

 the superior services of men engaged in the 

 care of animals tend to pull it up ; and since 

 these classes are not only employed in widely 

 varying proportions in different parts of the 

 country, but also change their proportions 

 with changes in farming, summary state- 

 ments must be used with caution. Then, 

 again, the great variation in regard to allow- 

 ances in kind or subsidiary sources of income 

 introduces another qualifying element of 

 great complexity and uncertain value. In the 

 recent official statistics account is taken of 

 the more important of these disturbing 

 factors, but in the use made of the statistics 

 they are commonly ignored. 



The Course of Wages. 

 The most comprehensive statement of 

 wages available is that given by Mr. Prothero 

 in English Farming Past and Present. It is 

 compiled from a number of sources varying in 

 value, and does not profess to do more than 

 put together the material available. Mr. 

 Prothero says in a note : " The actual value, 

 in individual cases, of the returns of wages is 

 doubtful ; but they probably represent some 

 general approximation of the truth." The 

 following table is condensed from Mr. 

 Prothero 's, but it is to be noticed that these 



