CHAPTER II. 

 TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT. 



THE permanency or otherwise of their employment, as 

 indicated by the terms of engagement of those concerned 

 directly or indirectly in the cultivation of the soil, 

 presents a subject of some interest, as the conditions are 

 varied by the customs of different counties. The most 

 responsible and hence valuable class of labourers 

 those entrusted with the care of animals come in for 

 the first consideration ; and what is the fact might be 

 assumed, that this class, whose services cannot so easily 

 and quickly be replaced by others, as can those of the 

 ordinary labourers, can obtain the best terms as to 

 security of tenure. Nevertheless, these terms con- 

 siderably vary in different parts of the country. It is, 

 however, the usual custom in Cumberland, Durham, 

 Lancashire (North), Northumberland, Westmorland, 

 and Yorkshire, to engage all farm servants by the half- 

 year or year. Shepherds are almost invariably engaged 

 for the longer of those two periods ; but in some places 

 even shepherds are engaged by the quarter ; sometimes 

 by the month, and much less frequently by the week. 

 The same short periods are also the custom in places 

 for all men having the charge of animals. But even 

 w r here the annual engagement is the practice, an agree- 

 ment is made that it may be terminable by either side 

 on giving a month's notice. That, of course, is much 

 better, for both sides, than the curt " week's notice/' 

 As to ordinary labourers, a week's notice is the general 



