244 LEASING. 



it ; one situation may be exempted for a period of many 

 years from such visitations, when others suffer; on a 

 sudden, a partial or a local stream of hot, cold, salt, or 

 what we denominate a pestilential wind, sweeps along, 

 and it is destroyed. 



Surrounded by and situate in the midst of an agri- 

 cultural district, we are eager and persevering "leasers" 

 here ; and it becomes in a certain degree profitable 

 to our poor, though they cannot hope, like the dutiful 

 Ruth, to gather their three pecks and over in a day. It 

 may be difficult to comprehend how the picking up a 

 head of corn here, and another there, should be a remu- 

 nerative employ ; but in this case, like all other slow 

 operations, a distant result, rather than an instant effect, 

 must be looked for. I have found some little difficulty 

 in obtaining intelligence sufficient to acquire a know- 

 ledge of the gain by this employ. The poor are often 

 jealous and suspicious of the motives, when any at- 

 tempts are made to procure information regarding their 

 profits or improvements ; and indeed the advantages of 

 one year are uncertain in another. Catching, doubtful 

 seasons, when the farmer collects in haste, and is un- 

 mindful of trifles, afford the best harvest to the gleaner, 

 In fine, settled weather, the operation of reaping is 

 conducted with more deliberation, and less corn is 

 scattered about. When a woman with two or three 

 active children lease in concert, it becomes a beneficial 

 employ. I have heard of a family in the parish thus 

 engaged, who have in one season obtained eight bushels 

 of clear wheat ; but this was excess. I know a single 

 Woman also, who has gleaned in the same period four 

 bushels and a half; but this again was under very favor- 

 able and partial circumstances. In general, a good leaser 

 is satisfied, if she can obtain, single-handed, a clear 

 three bushels in the season, which gives her about a 

 bushel in the week ; and, if taken at seven shillings, 

 is very reasonable, and far from being any great acces- 

 sion or profit less perhaps than is generally supposed 

 to be the emolument of the gleaner ; and this may have 

 been acquired by the active labor of eight or nine 

 hours. Yet such is the ardor for this occupation, the 



