204 ON THE STATE OF IRELAND. [BOOK II. 



majority of the aged and infirm, of widows bur- 

 dened with children, or orphans, find resources in 

 their families, and do not become a burden to so- 

 ciety. Moreover in Ireland these numerous classes 

 compose only a fifth part of the community ; whilst 

 those in a condition to work, and who are destitute 

 of employment, constitute nearly the whole body. 



The laws of Providence designed that agricul- 

 ture should offer continual employment to the 

 rural population ; each kind of grain requires its 

 own period for sowing and reaping, and it is the 

 same with the other preceding labours. The 

 roots as well as the other vegetables are of such 

 various species, that their culture gives occupation 

 all the year round. The trees are planted and 

 pruned in winter, and their fruits are gathered in 

 summer ; the cattle likewise require the care of the 

 farmer during the whole year ; the hedges and 

 ditches can only be cleared and trimmed in winter, 

 when the manure is also carried on to the fields 

 and the drainage is attended to. This however, 

 is the season the least productive of labour. But 

 be it remarked, that in this season in Ireland a 

 country situated between 52 and 55 out-door 

 labour lasts only eight hours ; and, if we reckon 

 the wages of work by the hour, it is paid much 

 more dearly in winter than in summer, which shows 

 that it is at least as necessary. 



