29 



' PoTTEBS Hill, neau Witney, July 30th, 1881. 



Dear Siu, — On coming into this neighbourhood about 15 years ago, my 

 father and I discontinued the practice of giving drink in part payment for 

 work during the hay and corn harvest, and on the three farms with which 

 we have to do, employing from 30 to 60 persons, we have found the plan 

 work well, nor would we or our men on any account go back to the old system. 



The time and labour taken up in drawing and distributing the beer, over 

 a distance perhaps of 2 miles, is in itself a consideration, when every hand 

 and hour are precious. If the men have money instead, each provides his 

 own drink, and brings it in the morning with his food and tools. Many men 

 when beer is given feel that they have not had their full days' pay, if they 

 have not drunk their full quantity of beer. The drink-giving system is 

 manifestly unjust towards those who cannot take beer, while total abstainers 

 naturally feel that they are hardly done by under it, and I believe this has 

 been the cause of many breaking their pledge. A neighbour of mine informs me 

 that a boy he employed, who is by no means what would generally be termed 

 a " bad " boy, got at the beer jar on the sly in the harvest field, and was 

 drunk and incapable for the remainder of the day. If farmers would pay for 

 all labour in cash, they would ofter a less convenient handle for union and 

 other agitators to lay hold of j these as a rule conveniently forget payments 

 in kind. 



Yours truly, 



J. Abbey. BENJAMIN HOBBIS. 



A SALE OF SHORTHORNS WITHOUT GROG. 



At Epsom, on the 19th of May, a sale of valuable " shorthorns'* took 

 place from the farm of a good temperance man, Mr. E. C. Tisdall, of Holland 

 Park Farm and Epsom. The sale was attended by buyers from various 

 districts, one at least being from Ireland, and the value of the stock was 

 estimated at two thousand and eleven guineas. At the luncheon preceding 

 the sale no intoxicating liquors were supplied, and the absence of these 

 customary articles did not seem to be regretted by the visitofs. Mr. W. S. 

 Caine, M.P., who filled the chair, pleasantly reminded the gentlemen that 

 nothing was provided which could disturb their perception of the true 

 character of the stock ; and at his suggestion — though other beverages were 

 liberally furnished — the toast of the Queen was drunk with all the honours 

 in " honest water." Mr, Tisdall's example is one which all owners of stock 

 ought to follow, and all purchasers ought to encourage. — Alliance News. 



HARVEST HOME WITHOUT BEER 



May 1st, 1882. 



Deau Sik, — Our Vicar has brought us your Pamphlet, " Intemperance." 

 We think it calculated to do much good, and would like 50 copies to circulate 

 amongst our own men and neighbouring farmers, many of whom still think 

 the Beer must be given if the work is to be done. We have for several years 

 given tea and oatmeal drink to our harvesters, and paid them money. When 

 the seasons are good, we always have a Harvest Supper — from 30 or 40 (men 

 and wives), all who have helped to turn a sheaf. Plenty of roast beef; 

 plum pudding ad. lib., with tea and coffee in abundance, The men make 

 merry without doubt, and, to finish, my boys and girls take the piano in and 

 dress up the barn and sing, and the men and women sing too ; ah ! much 

 better than they would with hogsheads of beer, as of old. Still much has to 

 be done in every village and town, and your book will help to convince many. 

 One of my boys has a Band of Hope of 120, another is Secretary of the 

 Church of England Temperance Society just formed, but we want hundreds 

 and thousands of helpers, looking at the state of the country generally. 



Yours truly, A. S. 



