LANDLORDS. 287 



them, from which their heads were sheltered by the thatched roof of the 

 hay-rack, only to have it poured in a heavier stream on their necks and 

 shoulders. In the other yard the cows had finished their provender, and 

 showed their dissatisfaction with its meagre character by butting each other 

 round the rack. The largest and greediest having finished her own share, 

 immediately dislodges her neighbor, while she, in her turn, repeats the 

 blow upon the next, and so the chase begins, the cows digging their horns 

 into each other's sides, and discontentedly pursuing one another through 

 the wet and miry yard. Leaving the yard we passed into the fields, sink- 

 ing at every step in the sour, wet grass-lands. Here, little heaps of dung, 

 the exhausted relics of the hay, from which the cows derive their only sup- 

 port in winter, were being scattered thinly over the ground, to aid in the 

 production of another crop of hay." 



I have shown how much good a wealthy landlord may find 

 it his profit to do in the way of improving agriculture. Mr. 

 Caird intimates that for such a state of things as is exhibited in 

 the last picture, we are also to hold the landlord accountable. 

 Mr. Caird likewise says, " On all hands the farmer suffers : he 

 pays rent for space occupied by his landlord's trees ; he provides 

 harbor for his landlord's game, which, in return, feed upon his 

 crops ; [it is for this reason many landlords will not allow the 

 fences to be touched ;] if he attempts to plough out inferior pas- 

 ture, his crop becomes an additional feeding-ground for the game ; 

 whilst the small fields and crooked fences prevent all efforts at 

 economy of labor, and compel him either to restrict his cultiva- 

 tion, or execute it negligently and unprofitably." 



God keep us evermore free from a "powerful conservative 

 landed gentry," a curse not unmixed with good though it be. 



Wages of laborers were mentioned to me at 85. Caird says 

 7s. and 85., and sometimes 65. ; but it was added, significantly, 

 that 6s. worth of work is only given in such a case. 



