CHAPTER XIII. 

 HOURS OF WORK AND WAGES. 



THE hours of work of farm labourers are very similar 

 all over the kingdom, varying here and there according 

 to the circumstances of different farms. We may, there- 

 fore, take it that the hours are for ordinary labourers 

 6.30 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the summer, and 6.30 a.m. until 

 it is dark in the winter. For horsemen, 7 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. 

 in summer, and 7.30 a.m. until dark in winter. For 

 cattlemen, 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. in summer, and 6 a.m. till 

 dark in winter. But the cattleman, like the shepherd, 

 must look after his animals at any time that it may be 

 necessary to do so, irrespective of particular hours. 

 Horsemen, for instance, have to arrive about half an 

 hour or three-quarters of an hour before the time given 

 above, in order to feed and get ready their animals for 

 work, as in dark winter mornings lamps can be used 

 for the preliminary purpose indicated ; and, similarly, 

 about the same time extra is required in the evening 

 for grooming and feeding after the day's work. When 

 horses are left in the fields in summer they have to start 

 getting them out about 5.30 a.m., go to their breakfasts, 

 return at 6.15 a.m., and leave the stables for work about 

 6.45 a.m. Then, after the day's work, it takes them 

 from twenty minutes to half an hour in turning the 

 horses out again. 



Coming now to the important question of wages, it is 

 material to point out the two principal classes of men 



employed those who are married and live outside 



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