360 LEASING. 



pecks and over 'in the day. It may be difficult to' 

 comprehend how the picking up a head of corn 

 here, and another there, should be a remunerative 

 employ ; but in this case, like all other slow opera- 

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

 must be looked for. I have found some little 

 difficulty in obtaining intelligence sufficient to ac- 

 quire a knowledge of the gain by this employ. 

 The poor are often jealous and suspicious of the 

 motives, when any attempts are made to procure 

 information regarding their profits or improve- 

 ments ; and indeed the advantages of one year are 

 uncertain in another. Catching, doubtful seasons, 

 when the farmer collects in haste, and is unmindful 

 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 ob- 

 tained 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 favourable 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 shil- 



