CHAPTER VII 



AGRICULTURAL LABOR 



Several Aspects of the Farm Labor Question. Reference is fre- 

 quently made to the problem, so called, of farm labor. Is there such 

 a problem, and if so what is it? A very brief investigation convinces 

 anyone that there is such a problem. It is illustrated by the report 

 made in 1913 by our Consul at Leeds, England, on the " English 

 Farm Labor Problem." In this report our Consul speaks as follows : 



"The northern counties of England are experiencing an inconvenient 

 condition caused by a dearth of farm labor. General opinion voiced by mem- 

 bers of chambers of agriculture indicates that it is realized that farm servants 

 do not get sufficient relaxation; cottage accommodation is often poor, and there 

 is little incentive generally for a man to settle to a life's work of labor on the 

 farm. Some say that most farmers would be quite agreeable to granting, at 

 convenient seasons, sufficient relaxation to their servants to make up for any 

 compulsory half holiday such as most other industries enjoy. Others think 

 that the possibility of one pound ($4.87) a week as wages and cottage would 

 keep men from moving into the town. 



"Big batches of farm laborers are emigrating; often 20 to 30 together. 

 In many cases Canada or Australia is the destination. 



"Agitation is afoot to form a Farm Workers' Union. Meetings of farm 

 laborers have been addressed by officials of the Workers' Union for enrolling suf- 

 ficient men and women to warrant forming branches. A press statement says: 



" 'The aim of the Workers' Union, or the agricultural section of it, as set 

 out in the literature disseminated is to secure a working week of not more than 

 60 hours, payment for overtime work, and extra pay for all Sunday labor; 

 limitation of hours for all women workers; fixing of a minimum wage rate, both 

 for piecework and day-work, all employees to know at the time of hiring the 

 rates they will have to work at; and to secure the freedom of laborers' cottages.' 



"Comparisons have been drawn between the earnings of the women of 

 agricultural sections of the county, making 30 to 37 cents per day at some 

 classes of work, and the earnings of the women weavers of Lancashire, who 

 can make $6.70 per week. From the news reports it appears that the farm 

 laborer is slow to respond to the agitation. All his characteristics prepare 

 one for that attitude, but every fresh hiring timo is showing him his position 

 of vantage for making terms. 



"At the recent Whitsuntide hirings higher prices had to be paid all around 

 for farm hands, who then hire out for a six-months' term. The next term 

 commences Martinmas, November 11. The following are some of the hiring 

 wages paid at the chief centers; board and lodging in addition: 



Place and Wages for Six Months l 



Daily Consular and Trade Reports, July 12, 1913, p. 238. 



