THE IRISH LABOURER. 117 



vious to 1843 part of the lands which we 

 trenched at 3/. 4s. per acre, was dug only half the 

 depth at the cost of some 61., the top spit being 

 more easily dug than the bottom one. In- 

 stances of this kind are not confined indeed to 

 Ireland. They are also to be found in England, 

 w r herever parties unacquainted with labour com- 

 mence to let work upon task ; but in Ireland 

 it operates as a serious clog upon the advance- 

 ment of industry and comfort among the la- 

 bouring population. 



From these remarks it will readily be per- 

 ceived that the first practical step in the re- 

 formation of Ireland is the instruction of the 

 peasantry how to execute the necessary quantity 

 of labour, in order to obtain sufficient wages. 

 In the performance of this task many weighty 

 and important responsibilities obviously devolve 

 upon the landlord and large farmer which we 

 shall subsequently notice. The counter duties 

 of the servant will appear obvious when we 

 state those of the master. 



2. The reformation of our commercial and 

 manufacturing classes. The practice of task- 

 work is in full operation among the labouring 

 portion of these two classes, so that all that is 

 i 3 



