32 BRITISH RURAL LIFE AND LABOUR. 



variety of systems in different parts of the country. 

 As a rule, in the northern counties, where the " up- 

 standing wages " system prevails that is, a wage going 

 on notwithstanding the weather or sickness- there are 

 no extra cash wages given, but the men are very often 

 paid " in kind " in lieu of cash, that is, they get free 

 food and drink during the time of harvest. Married 

 men, except in Northumberland and Durham, however, 

 are frequently given extra cash pay ; and when this 

 is the case the pay varies from four to six pounds 

 a month, while the ordinary weekly cash wages are from 

 seventeen to twenty shillings a week. Drink and food 

 are often also given as well. Extraneous assistants, 

 including the Irish, are paid even better, and get more 

 food ; in addition also, the latter obtain sleeping accom- 

 modation in barns or other outbuildings. In some parts 

 of Northumberland the casual Irish labourers get all 

 their food. There are special harvest hirings in Durham, 

 Lancashire, Westmorland, and Yorkshire, and at these 

 English and Irish are engaged for the harvests, both 

 hay and corn. 



As to the systems of harvest payment outside the 

 northern counties, Mr. Wilson Fox has some interesting 

 notes. In allusion to these he says : 



" Special rates of payment are not usually given at hay 

 harvest to the ordinary staff of the farm, though overtime 

 is sometimes paid for, and drink, or money in lieu of drink, 

 is frequently given. As regards corn harvest outside the 

 northern counties, the systems of payment vary. In 

 some districts the system is to give the work to be done in 

 connection with the harvest in separate portions as piece- 

 work ; in others, to contract for a certain sum for the 

 harvest as a whole ; or to give the ordinary weekly wages 

 and, in addition, a bonus of a pound or two at the end of 

 the harvest ; or to give extra time wages for a month 

 certain, and then to pay the ordinary weekly wages ; or 

 to pay double the ordinary weekly wages during harvest ; 

 or to pay a certain rate per day as long as harvest lasts. 

 Occasionally the ordinary weekly wage is paid, and overtime 

 money given. Beer or cider is given in many counties, 

 and in some districts light refreshment in the way of food. 



